Applying to East Dorset District Council

See our simple step by step guide to making a planning application in East Dorset District Council.

Step 1

Before you make a planning application you may wish to discover whether your site is subject to any planning constraints and whether consent is required for your proposed development. For more details see Permitted development in East Dorset.

You are welcome to write to the council with sketch plans of your scheme to gain the initial views of a planning officer. Please note that any comments provided will be informal and will not prejudice any future decision that is made.

Step 2

There are currently two ways to apply for planning permission:

Paper application - copies are available from the council offices upon request or you can download application forms and return them to us by post
Online application - these are made through the Government's Planning Portal (opens in a new window) which also provides general guidance and information

Before submitting your application, please read the planning application requirements (both national and local) set out in the Planning Application Requirements (pdf, 310kb) (opens in a new window) . This document specifies the documentation and supporting information which will be required before an application can be registered. Failure to comply with the requirements will render the application invalid and it is likely to be returned to you.

Multiple applications

Some of the forms allow the submission of multiple applications on the same form which come under different consent regimes. These applications remain legally distinct and their validity and determination will be treated as such by the local planning authority. A fee (where relevant) will apply to each application sought.

1 Apps

The new standard application form (1APP) became mandatory on the 6 April 2008. It ensures that the same information is required for comparable applications across the country, preventing the inconsistencies, which occurred when each planning authority was responsible for their own application forms. Further information about 1APP is available at the Planning Portal (opens in a new window) .