Guidelines

First Steps

If you think you might need to apply for planning permission:

Step 1

Contact North Dorset District Council’s Development Control Service. Tell the planning staff what you want to do and ask for their advice.

Step 2

If they think you need to apply for planning permission, please ask for, or download an application form. Also ask if they foresee any difficulties which could be overcome by amending your proposal. It can save time or trouble later if the proposals you want to carry out also reflect what the Council would like to see. They will tell you how many copies of the form you will need to send back and how much the application fee will be.

Alternatively, it is possible to submit your planning application online, via the Planning Portal. Follow the link for online planning application submissions.

Step 3

Decide what type of application you need to make. In most cases this will be a full application but there are a few circumstances when you may want to make an outline application - for example, if you want to see what the Council thinks of the building work you intend to carry out before you go to the trouble of making detailed drawings (but you will still need to submit details at a later stage).

Step 4

You apply to the Council’s Development Control Service for planning permission. Planning applications are decided in line with the development plan unless there are very good reasons not to do so. Points that will be looked at include the following

• number, size, layout, siting and external appearance of buildings;
• proposed means of access, landscaping and impact on the neighbourhood;
• availability of infrastructure, such as roads and water supply; and
• proposed use of the development.

It is not necessary to make the application yourself. If you wish, you can appoint an agent (for instance, an architect, a solicitor, or a builder) to make it for you.

Anyone can make an application, irrespective of who owns the land or buildings concerned. However, if you are not the owner, or if you have only part-ownership, you have to inform the owner or those who share ownership, including any leaseholder whose lease still has seven or more years to run, and any agricultural tenant.

Step 5

Send the completed application forms to the Development Control Service, together with the correct fee. Each form must be accompanied by a plan of the site and a copy of the drawings showing the work you propose to carry out (the Council will advise you on what drawings are needed).

Fees for Planning Applications

Most planning and related applications require payment of a fee set by Government legislation.

You can view details of the fees by downloading this Planning Fees document. The payment form must accompany the payment of a planning fee

IMPORTANT: Please be aware that the fees for planning applications have recently been revised by Government and apply to all applications received from October 2009.

Discharge of Conditions:  Please also be aware that a fee will now be applied to requests for confirmation that planning conditions have been complied with.

For more information on what happens next, please view our Planning Application Process page.