Our pre-application advice helps you:
- Understand if your proposal is likely to gain planning permission
- Get clear feedback early on - saving you time and cost later
- Identify and resolve any key issues before you apply
What You Need to Do
To request pre-application advice, submit:
- The completed pre-application advice request form with the relevant fee.
- A site location plan with the site outlined in red to a recognised scale (for example 1:1250, 1:500).
- Details of existing use, floor plans, elevations and sections.
- Summary of the proposal including details of scale and height of proposed structures and associated works accompanied by sketch drawings ideally to a recognised scale.
- Photographs of the site showing existing buildings and surrounding area for context.
- Form, draft plans, photos and supporting documents by following the validation checklist as closely as possible.
- Details of the proposed layout ideally at a recognised scale and if appropriate details of parking, access, density, landscaping and retention of trees/vegetation and structures.
- Outline of materials to be used accompanied by a design statement.
- Details of any known or anticipated concerns.
Make sure your submission includes as much relevant information as possible - this helps us provide the most useful advice.
What to Expect from Us
Written advice with the option to meet afterwards to clarify advice (not to redesign proposals).
Turnaround times are 20 working days for non-major proposals and 30 working days for major or complex proposals.
Consultee input (e.g. highways, flood risk, ecology) can be arranged - we'll contact you if further input or charges apply
How to Apply
Email your request using the form for pre-application advice for Householder applications only to planning@staffordbc.gov.uk
When pre-application advice is available for other application types we will change this message. We expect that to be in July 2025.
Fees
| Tier | Fee | Meeting | Consultee Input |
|---|---|---|---|
| Householder / adverts | £60 + VAT | Discretionary - £40 + VAT per additional clarification meeting | No |
| Change of use | £150 + VAT Plus £60 + VAT per hour for additional services/travel | Discretionary - £60 + VAT per additional clarification meeting | No |
| Residential (1 to 4 dwellings) | £250 + VAT Plus £60 + VAT per hour for additional services/travel | Discretionary - £100 + VAT per additional clarification meeting | Fees for County Council specialist advice vary, please refer to their website (staffordshire.gov.uk) |
Residential (5 to 9 dwellings) Commercial (up to 999 metres squared floorspace) | £500 + VAT Plus £60 + VAT per hour for additional services/travel | Discretionary - £150 + VAT per additional clarification meeting | Fees for County Council specialist advice vary, please refer to their website (staffordshire.gov.uk) |
Residential (10 to 49 dwellings) Commercial (1000 to 2999 metres squared floorspace) | £1000 + VAT Plus £60 + VAT per hour for additional services/travel | Discretionary - £250 + VAT per additional clarification meeting | Fees for County Council specialist advice vary, please refer to their website (staffordshire.gov.uk) |
Residential (50 to 199 dwellings) Commercial (3000 to 9999 metres squared floorspace) | £2000 + VAT Plus £60 + VAT per hour for additional services/travel | Discretionary - £250 + VAT per additional clarification meeting | Fees for County Council specialist advice vary, please refer to their website (staffordshire.gov.uk) |
| Major / Complex (200 dwellings or more than 10,000 metres squared floorspace) | £4000 + VAT Plus £60 + VAT per hour for additional services/travel | Yes, also consider Planning | Internal and statutory |