Householder Pre-Application Advice
We cannot give refunds on our pre-application service once we have validated your request.
Please also read the How long does it take section (below) before calling to check on progress.
This page has details on how to apply, what levels of service we can offer and how much it will cost.
How to apply
Use this form to apply for Pre-Application advice for work to an existing dwelling. For all other developments, including change of use, see our other Pre-Application Advice page.
You can only apply by using our online form. You will need to submit a location plan, details of your proposal together with the fee. Please note that only one option for each application can be submitted. Only the documents you submit with the form will be considered in providing the response.
Request Householder Pre-Application Advice
We can provide different levels of advice depending on how much detail and support you want.
Charges for Householder Pre-Application Advice
All fees include 20% VAT.
Level 1: £232
- desktop assessment
- full planning history for the site
- consideration of relevant policies
- any site constraints
- officer opinion on proposal
- guideline for validation requirements
The response provided will be based only on what has been submitted. This level does not include a meeting, site visit or advice from internal specialists.
Note:This option cannot be used if your property is a Listed Building.
Level 2: £441
- desktop assessment
- full planning history for the site
- consideration of relevant policies
- any site constraints
- officer opinion on proposal
- guideline for validation requirements
- officer Site visit (at their discretion)
- consultation of relevant internal specialists
This level does not include a meeting. The response provided will be based only on what has been submitted.
Level 3: £536
- desktop assessment
- full planning history for the site
- consideration of relevant policies
- Any site constraints
- officer opinion on proposal
- guideline for validation requirements
- officer site visit (at their discretion)
- consultation of relevant internal specialists
- meeting with case officer (1hr maximum)
The response provided will be based only on what has been submitted.
For householder and small business queries, we offer 15 minutes of free advice and guidance with a planning officer. This should be used for advice in the very early stages of your planning application (typically prior to having plans drawn up), or where you have a question about a particular aspect of planning, including queries related to permitted development.
The cost of the time we take to provide advice is not covered by the statutory fee for making a planning application. The charge covers our costs for providing the advice that is being asked for.
The amount charged is based on the size of the proposal and the level of detail that is sought. We currently offer free Level 1 advice for small charities and applications specifically required for the needs of disabled persons.
How long does it take?
After you have submitted and paid for your request for pre-application advice, we will aim to acknowledge that we have received your application and tell you which case officer has been allocated to your case, within 5 workings days.
We aim to provide a written response within 4 weeks of sending of your pre-application acknowledgement for Level 1 householder advice and within 6 weeks for other types of advice.
Disclosing information
The Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service does not publicise details of pre-application discussions until a planning application has been submitted.
The advice we provide under this service is generally confidential until a related application is submitted and development proposals are publicly available. From January 2023 we automatically publish any advice we have provided once the related application is submitted. At that point there is normally no reason under any legislation to insist the advice is confidential.
We may continue to receive requests for advice to be disclosed at earlier stages, which will need to be assessed individually under the legislation. If you think there are sufficient reasons under the legislation that your request and advice should remain confidential at those earlier stages please advise us in writing of the reasons at the time of your request. We will not respond at the time of your request but will take it into account when deciding whether to release information earlier than usual.