About the Planning Service

There are four divisions within the Planning Service:

 Development Control - deals with the processing of planning applications, advising when planning permission is required such as discussing permitted development rights, including pre-application advice, taking account of borough policies and briefs, government guidance and the individual merits of each scheme, in order to manage development in the borough in the public interest. Development Control also have an Enforcement team who deal with matters when planning law has been contravened.

 Forward Planning - is responsible for Planning Policy in the borough and the preparation of the Local Development Framework (LDF). It provides policies to guide and encourage future development. Forward Planning is also responsible for development briefs and other guidelines and measures to protect, manage and improve the environment. To become involved in any of our LDF documents, please consult our Consultations Homepage to make your comments.

 Building Control - ensures that building works comply with the health, safety, energy conservation and access for the disabled requirements, as laid down in the Building Regulations and Building Acts. Download Building Control application forms

 Land Charges - when buying a new property, piece of land or having a valuation carried out within the Borough of Stafford, a thorough search can be guaranteed by the Local Search service.