Planning advice and guidance

Pre-Application Advice and Site Specific Informal Advice

Enquiries can be made, before the submission of a planning application, in order to have an informal view as to whether a proposal is acceptable or not in planning terms. These enquiries are known as Pre-application Enquiries.

Principles

The Council is committed to providing a pre-application discussion service. However, please note that this is not a statutory part of the service, nor one for which we currently charge a fee and the advice given is of an advisory nature only and cannot be regarded as binding upon the Local Planning Authority.

What cases can we consider?

The service will be available for all types of development proposals including:

• Residential development
• Commercial development
• Domestic extensions and alterations
• Telecommunications development
• Changes of Use
• Agricultural development
• Alterations to listed buildings
• Conservation Area Consent
• Advertisement consent

How do I apply for pre-application advice?

You can apply for pre-application advice by filling in a Pre-Application Enquiry Form. You should also read the Guidance Notes before filling in your form.

For domestic extensions and alterations you can fill in the online or printed form and download the guidance notes from the following links: -

Pre-Application Form for Householders: Fill in form online

Print the Pre-Application Form for Householders

Download "Do I need permission? - a guide for householders

Alternatively you can request the form 'Alterations to Private Dwellinghouses' by telephoning 01228 817179 or emailing dc@carlisle.gov.uk

For any other type of development you can fill in the online or printed pre-application enquiry form and download the guidance notes from the following links:

Pre-Application Enquiry Form: Fill in form online

Pre-Application enquiry form - print the form

Download Guidance Notes

Alternatively you can submit a letter detailing the works or proposed development, together with a site location plan identifying the site and any other information that would assist in the consideration of the proposal. This may include detailed drawings, photographs, or extracts from manufactures' brochures.

How to contact us

Send any correspondence to: -

Economic Development
Planning Services
Development Control
Civic Centre
Carlisle
CA3 8QG

email: - dc@carlisle.gov.uk

telephone:   01228 817179

Freedom of Information Act

From 1 January 2005, under the Freedom of Information Act, the Council may receive a request to provide information regarding enquiries for pre-application advice and of any advice given.

Sections 41 & 43 of the Act exempts information whose disclosure could result in substantial financial loss, or be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any person.

You are asked therefore, when submitting a pre-application enquiry, which you believe to be confidential, that you supply a covering letter that sets out the reasons why, and for what period, any information in regard to the enquiry, needs to remain confidential. In doing so, this Authority may accept the justification for confidentiality, and will make every effort in so far as the Act allows, to ensure that the information is 'inaccessible' in the sense of not being in the public domain, or a matter of public knowledge. However, the passage of time may mean that the information is no longer sufficiently sensitive to be considered 'confidential'.

The decision as to whether or not to release information lies with the Local Authority. The Authority must therefore carefully consider claims for exemption, as a third party may challenge a decision, which could result in costs being awarded.

Online Guidance