If advice is required on a prospective proposal, the pre-application advice route should be followed. Our approach to handling non-major applications is outlined in our ‘Good Practice Guide’.

The most efficient route for applicants/agents to contact a planning officer is via email. We therefore require an applicant/agent to contact the officer via email in the first instance, even if the request is to arrange a call back/conversation. This ensures there are minimal contact points within the service and the call is handled as efficiently as possible.

For third parties, such as neighbouring residents, any concerns should be raised via the online commenting facility for the relevant application via the Council’s website. Officers will not be expected to respond to third party comments made on applications but will take them into account in their consideration of the application.

Process for contacting us within Planning and Development comms plan
Route	Format	Response/time
General Enquiries	See ‘General Customer Service’
Planning Officer – application query (Applicant/agent only)	Email	Acknowledge within 2 working days Full response within 5 working days
Planning officer – call back request email (Applicant/agent only)	Verbal	Within 2 working days
Advice on a proposed scheme	Written/meeting	In line with Pre-app Customer Charter
Comment on a planning application	Website	Auto acknowledgement of receipt. No further response. See ‘Processing Times'
Access to inspect ‘raw’ planning data (where available)	Guidance on our website – Access to records.	Responses will be processed under Environmental Information Legislation and timescales.
Book building control inspection	Website:	Inspection arranged within 24-48 hours of request
Concerned about development/building work near you? Report an alleged planning breach	Website – report an alleged planning breach