Permission in principle

The permission in principle consent route is an alternative way of obtaining planning permission for housing-led development.

This route separates the consideration of matters of principle for proposed development from the technical detail of the development.

What type of development can you use permission in principle for?

Permission in principle can only be used in relation to the development of land for housing.

Non-housing development can be permitted in principle where it is proposed alongside housing development, and where housing is the main use.

Permission in principle however cannot be used to approve major development or householder development. Major development, for the purposes of permission in principle is defined as:

• Where 10 or more houses are proposed
• Where the floor space to be created is 1,000 square metres or more
• Where the site area is more than 1 hectare

Permission in principle stages

The permission in principle has two stages:

• First stage - (permission in principle application) - establishes whether a site is suitable for housing-led development

• Second stage (technical details consent) assesses the detailed development proposals, such as design, appearance and layout

Ways we grant permission in principle

We can grant permission in principle through the following two ways:

1. By receiving valid completed permission in principle applications
2. By entering a site in part 2 of its Brownfield Land Register

What is a Brownfield land register?

A Brownfield Land Register is a list of previously developed sites considered suitable for housing development, which will trigger a grant of permission in principle for that land providing the statutory requirements set out in Town and Country Planning. (Permission in Principle).

Order 2017 (as amended) and the Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017 are met.

How do I apply? 

To apply you must complete the Permission in principle application form.

Apply for Permission in Principle (PDF) [233KB]

Once completed, submit your application by email, including the relevant support documents, to devcon@preston.gov.uk.

Please note: payment must be made through the planning office on 01772 906912 using a debit or credit card.

How much is it?

For the correct application fee, please download the guide to fees for Planning Applications in England (PDF) [117KB] .

What do I need to include?

You will need to include the following with your application:

• completed application form 
• plan which identifies the land to which the application relates. This must be drawn to an identified scale showing the direction of North
• The correct application fee
• Additional requirements may apply where compulsory pre-application consultation is required by virtue of section 61W(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

What happens next?

Once we have received a valid permission in principle application, we will send out an acknowledgement of the application.

Decision-Making Process

A decision on whether to grant permission in principle to a site following a valid application or by entering it on Part 2 of a brownfield land register must be made in accordance with relevant policies in the development plan unless there are material considerations, such as those in the National Planning Policy Framework and national guidance, which indicate otherwise.

The scope matters which can be considered with permission in principle are limited to location of the site, the type of land use proposed and the amount of development.

Issues relevant to these 'in principle' matters should be considered at the permission in principle stage. All other matters should be considered at the technical details consent stage.

Appeals

There is no right of appeal where a local planning authority decides not to enter a site in Part 2 of a brownfield land register and trigger the grant of permission in principle.

A person with an interest in a site has the option of submitting a planning application to the local planning authority. There is a right of appeal where a local planning authority refuses permission in principle upon receipt of a valid application.

The procedures in place are set out in Article 5V of the Town and Country Planning (Permission in Principle) Order 2017 (as amended).

An application for technical details consent may be appealed on grounds of non-determination, refusal or against any condition imposed.

The procedures in place for appeals against other types of planning application apply, see GOV.UK - Appeals.

Permission in principle applications

Application: 06/2022/0683

View application details for 06/2022/0683

Decision Date and Decision - Refusal - 14/07/2022

Description - Permission in principle for 1 new dwelling.

Address - Land to the rear of Becconsall Barn, Bartle Lane, Preston, PR4 0RU.

Application: 06/2022/0739

View application details for 06/2022/0739

Decision Date and Decision - Refusal - 02/08/2022

Description - Permission in Principle for 2 new dwellings.

Address - Land to the East of, Back Lane, Whittingham, Preston, PR3 2FH.

Application: 06/2022/0548

View application details for 06/2022/0548

Decision Date and Decision - Refusal - 14/06/2022

Description - Permission in principle for 2 new dwellings.

Address - 8 Sea View, Inglewhite Road, Preston, PR3 2EB

Application: 06/2022/0279

View application details for 06/2022/0279

Decision Date and Decision - Approval with conditions - 12/05/2022

Description - Permission in principle for up to 5 new dwellings.

Address - Land at St Margarets Close, Ingol, Preston

Application: 06/2022/0457

View application details for 06/2022/0457

Decision Date and Decision - Approval with conditions - 19/05/2022

Description - Permission in principle for conversion of annex to 1 new dwelling.

Address - Little Foxes, Church Lane, Whitechapel, Preston, PR3 2EP.

Application 06/2021/1602

View application details for 06/2021/1602

Decision Date and Decision - 25 January 2022 - Approval with Conditions

Description - Permission in Principle application for the development of 1 no dwelling.

Address - Land to rear of Bridge House, Tabley Lane, Preston, PR4 0LH.

Application 06/2021/1624

View application details for 06/2021/1624

Decision Date and Decision - 25 January 2022 - Refusal

Description - Permission in Principle for 1 no dwelling following demolition of existing agricultural and storage buildings.

Address - Land south of, Godson House Farm, Catforth Road, Catforth, Preston, PR4 0HE.

Application 06/2021/1470

View application details for 06/2021/1470

Decision Date and Decision - Approval with Conditions - 09/12/2021

Description - Permission in Principle for 1 no. dwelling following demolition of existing double garage (Resubmission).

Address - Kitts Cottage, Benson Lane, Preston, PR4 0HY

Last updated - 04 August 2022