The planning application process

How to apply

We welcome the opportunity to discuss proposals with you before you submit your planning application.

We offer planning advice to try to identify if you need planning permission, and if your proposed changes are minor or major developments.

Our Do I need planning permission page will also help determine whether you need to apply for planning permission or not.  

Making a planning application

We recommend you apply for planning permission through the Planning Portal website.

Apply for Planning Permission  

Alternatively, you can download the relevant form from the Planning Portals forms page and post it to us.  

Customer Notice: The Planning Portal charge a £70 fee for using their services. 

Additional forms for all applications

There are additional forms which may be required:

• Notice to be served on individuals
• Declaration of relationship with the council

Notices are related to the type of ownership certificate completed on your application forms. Where required, these should be served on owners/tenants.

To safeguard probity applicants/agents must declare their relationship with the council.

Validation Checklist for all applications and for householder applications

Before sending your application, you must read the validation checklist (found below) and notes for completing the forms.

• Validation Checklist for Planning and Other Applications

Most planning applications require a design and access statement (see design and access guidance notes). We can not register your application if you do not provide all the necessary information.

If you are doing or having construction and building work carried out, you will have health and safety responsibilities to consider before starting work. 

The Health and Safety Executive provides more information on this topic.

The guidance notes and application forms found in the documents section on this page are additional forms which are not on the Planning Portal and apply to all planning applications.  

Amendment to existing planning permission

Complete the Planning Portals online form for an application for a non-material amendment or amendments following a grant to an existing planning permission.

Apply for non-material amendments

If an application made on this form is successful, the result will be an amendment to the original planning permission. No new planning permission is created.

Listed building and conservation area consents are not covered by this procedure.

Application requirements

Every planning application needs a site location plan and block plan showing the location and boundaries of the site you are planning to work on. 

You can use the Planning Portal's buy a plan service to ensure that you meet our requirements, whether you are a planning professional or first-time applicant.

Payment

We cannot accept payment by cash for planning applications. This includes discharge of condition requests and pre-application advice.

Your planning application must be accompanied by the correct fee. You can find a schedule of fees for planning applications in the documents section on this page.

You can use the Planning Portal fee calculator to work out how much you will need to pay.

You can make an online payment by credit or debit card when you submit a planning application via the Planning Portal.

Please note: The Planning Portal is now charging to submit your application via their website, which can be done at the time of submission. The Planning Portal will not release your application to Preston City Council until this payment is made in full.  

For more information visit the Planning Portal - What it costs? Or you can download the Planning application fees document (PDF, 117 KB). 

Getting help and advice

The Planning Portal website has lots of useful advice on whether you need to apply for Planning Permission and Planning advice on submitting an application.

How we use your information

We will use your information in order to process your planning application in a manner compatible with the Data Protection Act.

Any disclosures or sharing of information will only take place where required or permitted by law. For further information please visit our Privacy Notice page.