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Pre-application advice for Purbeck

This page contains details on pre-application advice and associated charges for development proposals and works to listed buildings in Purbeck district.

Are you thinking of making a planning application, but not sure your proposals are acceptable in planning terms? It might be an extension to a residential property, a new house or factory, change of use from one commercial venture to another, the installation of an advertisement or sign, the demolition of a building within a conservation area or works to a listed building. Irrespective of what you are proposing, there are many benefits to discussing your ideas with a planning officer at an early stage of the project. The benefits of early discussion include:

  • An indication that the proposal is unacceptable and an application will result in refusal

  • An indication of the policies and considerations that will be taken into account by officers in determining an application

  • Provides an opportunity for amendments to the proposal which could overcome initial concerns

  • Indicate the requirement for contributions for heathland mitigation, transport infrastructure and affordable housing.  If your application involves the development of new residential dwellings, offices, industrial buildings or an increase in office or industrial floorspace, an unilateral planning obligation will be required.  Please see A guide to submitting a unilateral planning obligation in Purbeck  for further details.

  • Identify the need for specialist advice and reports to support the application, including trees, bats, biodiversity, landscape, contaminated land and historic buildings

  • A possible reduction in professional costs and time for drawing up final designs and layouts

The Format of Pre-application Advice

Pre-application advice can be obtained by having a meeting with a planning officer either at the council offices or at the site of the development proposal. Alternatively, advice can be given in the form of a written report. However, the quality of the response is generally dependent on the level of the information submitted. Requests for pre-application advice should include a written description of the development, a location plan, site plan and drawings of the proposal. The drawings do not need to be architectural quality at this stage, but they will need to be dimensioned and drawn approximately to the correct proportions.

You can apply for pre-application advice by using our  Pre-Application Advice Form 02 04 2012 (word, 674kb) (opens in a new window)  

Charges for Pre-application advice 

Written Enquiries - there are two levels of charges:

  • Level 1 - single property or site less than 0.1 hectare - £183.60 (£153 +VAT)

  • Level 2 - any site larger than that specified as Level 1 - £244.80 (£204 +VAT)  

Payment is required in advance before any work can be commenced on a written enquiry
Please Note

If more than one site or project is the subject of an enquiry each site or project will be charged at the standard rate.

Meetings with Officers

Pre-application meeting at Purbeck District Council offices of up to 45 minutes duration - £122.40 (£102 +VAT)

Pre-application meeting on site anywhere in the District of up to 45 minute duration - £153 (£127.50 +VAT)

Additional time in excess of 45 minutes will be charged per 30 minute period or part thereafter - £66 (£55 +VAT) per period

Applicants are invoiced after the meeting for payment
Please Note

All meetings assume 1 Officer in attendance and that additional officers will be charged as follows:

Up to 45 minute meeting - £66 (£55 +VAT) 

Additional 30 minute (or part thereof) period - £66 (£55 +VAT) per period 

Standards of Service

  • Advice given will accurately reflect the planning policies and standards of the council

  • Any advice given in relation to the planning history of the site, planning constraints or statutory designations does not constitute a formal response of the council under the provisions of the Land Charges Act 1975

  • Responses to written enquiries will normally be provided within 15 working days of receipt of an enquiry

  • Appointments for meetings will be made with appropriately qualified and experienced planning officers and will normally be arranged within 5 working days of request

  • A 'priority' service may be available on request, providing an appointment within 7 working days of request and a written response, if required, within 3 working days of the meeting. The charge for this priority service will be twice the standard charge

  • If we have to postpone a meeting e.g. absence of relevant staff through illness, it will normally be re-arranged within 5 working days

  • Charges will be invoiced within 10 working days of any meeting

  • Any views or opinions expressed are given in good faith without prejudice to the formal consideration of any subsequent planning application

  • A brief written summary of the main points covered during a meeting will be supplied within 5 working days of the meeting. If a detailed written response is required after a meeting, a new application for written pre-application advice will have to be submitted.

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