If you want to propose or build a new housing development or major strategic development, we can offer advice on housing policy and planning policy.

In addition to regular planning advice, our Spatial Planning Team can review your proposal and give advice on:

  • planning policy context 
  • housing implementation
  • affordable housing

Our advice will depend on the nature of your proposals and we will give it without prejudice. You will need to tell us in detail about what you want to do, so that we can give you the correct advice.

This advice is separate from the existing masterplan process, which we secure through Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs). 

You can request housing policy or planning policy advice when you apply for planning advice. After you have chosen the relevant form for your project, you need to select the 'Advice from Planning Policy' and/or 'Advice from Housing Implementation' option.

You can upload plans and documents with your request, so the relevant officer can assess your proposal.

The more information you can provide, the more useful you will find the advice we can give. You need to include an accurate site plan.  

The type of information you need to supply includes:

  • the area of the existing site
  • the current use of the existing site
  • number and description of the different types of residential units
  • floor area of any existing non-residential buildings
  • floor area of any proposed non-residential buildings 

For any applications for a Deed of Variation to S106 agreements, you will need to contact the Policy Team directly.

Request advice

If you want us to consider a new site in our Local Plan, you need to submit it through the Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) call for sites process. This process is open all year round.

You can also request further advice about your site with our Spatial Planning Team, for a fee. 

Each meeting costs £900. They will last up to an hour, either in person or on MS Teams, with two Spatial Planning Officers. 

The fee includes the cost of site research and a written summary of the meeting, with actions. If we need to visit the site, which will be unaccompanied, you will need to pay an additional fee of £600.

If you need a series of meetings, we can also arrange a bespoke charge.

Is there something wrong with this page?

You can report issues with the website using our website feedback form, which will go directly to the Web Team. This team will be unable to deal with your enquiry if it is not related to the website.