Pre-application planning advice

Pre-application planning advice is a service of informal advice from Great Yarmouth Borough Council prior to the submission of a planning application. It is a chargeable service offered by the Council.

The Council is able to provide advice and information if you are considering submitting a development proposal. We welcome and encourage discussions before you submit your application and understand that early discussions of your proposal can provide advantages for all parties involved.

We are able to provide advice to developers and their agents on key issues prior to a formal submission, where the function is to speed up the development process and avoid unacceptable proposals, and sustain and improve the service provided.

The provision of advice on development schemes is time consuming and the current statutory planning fees do not cover the cost of these discussions. In view of this, and taking into account the increased number of requests for advice, in line with many other authorities we introduced fees for providing pre-application planning advice in 2018, along with formalised procedures for handling this area of work.

The advice that we provide does not include consultation with neighbours or statutory bodies. This would be part of the formal application process. It is strongly advised that applicants discuss their proposals with neighbours or other parties interested in the relevant site before submitting a formal planning application.

We will make every effort to ensure that the advice given in the pre-application process is as accurate as possible. However, any advice given by Council officers for pre-application enquiries constitutes advice only. It is not a formal response or decision of the Council with regards to any future planning application and, while it may be a material consideration, cannot be held to bind the Council in its validation or formal determination of a subsequent application. If an application is subsequently submitted which fails to take on board advice given by officers, then the Council may refuse it without further discussion with the applicant or their agent.

Can I still get planning advice if I do not use the pre-application service?

The Borough Council will still offer a basic level of service free of charge, which gives customers access to basic information to allow them to identify some broad principles/issues associated with their developments. This provides:

• the requirements to submit an application
• guidance on where to obtain policy information
• an indication of any potential specialist advice that may be required

To find out the cost and level of information required for pre-application planning advice, please email plan@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.

Once you are satisfied that you know the required pricing and detail, please complete the  Pre-application enquiry form (PDF) [144KB] (opens new window) .