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Pre-application on planning applications

The County Planning Authority welcomes and encourages discussions on the merits of a proposal before a formal planning application is submitted. This is referred to as “pre-application advice”. This advice gives you a better idea about the prospects of an application being successful as well as identifying potential issues that will need to be considered when developing your proposals.

As of 1 July 2017 the County Council charge for such advice. The fees paid for pre-application advice are in addition to the fees payable for the submission of planning applications and the chargeable monitoring of mineral and landfill sites.

Pre-application advice and charges

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The pre-application Planning Advice Guidance document [855.1 KB] [pdf], sets out the benefits of seeking planning advice on application proposals for Minerals, Waste and Regulation 3 development (i.e. County own development including Schools and Libraries) prior to the formal submission of an application, and arrangements for the provision of such advice including fee scales and exemptions.

Please Note: There are currently no charges for pre-application advice for Regulation 3 development proposals. However, those who wish to obtain guidance on whether planning permission is required or formal pre-application advice will need to complete the relevant forms as provided below.

The charging schedule is also set out in the table below:
Scale of Development Level of Service Fee
Do I need Planning Permission (DINPP) enquiry (including local validation requirements) Written response to a completed DINPP Pro-Forma Free
Minor Proposals are any proposal that involves: minerals and or waste development on a site less than 0.5ha
  • Site Visit*
  • Officer Meeting*
  • Written Advice
 £240 plus VAT**
Minor Proposals are any proposal that involves: building or buildings less than 1,000m2
  • Site Visit*
  • Officer Meeting*
  • Written Advice
 £240 plus VAT**
Minor Proposals are any proposal that involves: variation of condition (section 73 application) for development involving any of the above Further Officer Meetings £100 plus VAT** (per meeting)
Minor Proposals are any proposal that involves: details pursuant (Article 27) submissions Further Officer Meetings £100 plus VAT** (per meeting)
Major Proposals are any proposal that involves: exploration, appraisal and production of hydrocarbons
  • Site Visit*
  • Officer Meeting*
  • Written Advice
 £850 plus VAT
Major Proposals are any proposal that involves: minerals and or waste development on a site in excess of 0.5ha
  • Site Visit*
  • Officer Meeting*
  • Written Advice
 £850 plus VAT
Major Proposals are any proposal that involves: buildings or building for use in excess of 1,000 m2  Further Officer Meetings £100 plus VAT** (per meeting)
Major Proposals are any proposal that involves: variation of condition (section 73 application) for development involving any of the above Further Officer Meetings £100 plus VAT** (per meeting)
Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) Fees for PPAs will be dependent on the scale and nature of the proposal and will be agreed in advance with prospective applicants (see Section 7).

*The fee will not be reduced where a site visit or meeting is not necessary as they are considered proportionate to the overall amount of time an officer is likely to spend on each request.

**VAT is charged on pre-application advice fees because the provision of the pre-application service is discretionary rather than a statutory duty. VAT will be charged at the current rate.

How do I obtain advice?

Prospective applicants seeking advice are required to complete one of the following forms, depending on the level of service required.

This form sets out the information that is required to be able to determine whether a proposed development requires planning permission. A completed form and supporting documents will need to be submitted before any written advice is given.

This form sets out the information that is required to enable a pre-application advice service to be provided on minor or major proposals for waste or minerals development as set out in the table above. A fully completed form, the required fee and supporting documents make a valid request and will need to be submitted before any written advice is given.

This form sets out the information that is required to enable pre-application advice to be provided on the County Council’s own development (Regulation 3) including Schools and Libraries. A fully completed form and supporting documents make a valid request and will need to be submitted before any written advice is provided.

Sending your completed form

Please send your completed form by email to:

  • development.control@eastsussex.gov.uk 
  • by post to:
      Planning Policy and Development Management,
      Communities,
      Economy and Transport,
      County Hall
      St Anne’s Crescent,
      East Sussex
      BN7 1UE

Payments can be made by cheque payable to East Sussex County Council or over the phone by credit or debit card on

  • Telephone: 01273 481 846
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