Pre-application advice
Enquiries can be made, before the submission of a planning
application, in order to have an informal view as to whether a
proposal is acceptable or not in planning terms. These enquiries
are known as Pre-application Enquiries. While we provide a
pre-application discussion service, this is not a statutory part of
our service, nor one for which we currently charge a fee. The
advice given is of an advisory nature only and cannot be regarded
as binding upon the Local Planning Authority.
How do I apply for pre-application advice?
You can apply for pre-application advice by filling in a
Pre-Application Enquiry Form. You
should also read the Guidance Notes below before filling in your
form.
For domestic extensions and alterations you can fill in the
online forms or download a printed form and the guidance notes from
the downloadable documents section. Alternatively you can request
the form 'Alterations to private dwelling houses' by telephoning
01228 817179 or emailing edadmin@carlisle.gov.uk
If you would rather, you can send us a letter detailing the
works or proposed development, together with a site location plan
identifying the site and any other information that would assist in
the consideration of the proposal. This may include detailed
drawings, photographs, or extracts from manufactures'
brochures.
What cases can we consider?
The service will be available for all types of development
proposals
- Residential development
- Commercial development
- Domestic extensions and alterations
- Telecommunications development
- Changes of Use
- Agricultural development
- Alterations to listed buildings
- Conservation Area Consent
- Advertisement consent
Freedom of Information Act
From 1 January 2005, under the Freedom of Information Act, the
Council may receive a request to provide information regarding
enquiries for pre-application advice and of any advice given.
Sections 41 & 43 of the Act exempts information whose
disclosure could result in substantial financial loss, or be likely
to prejudice the commercial interests of any person.
When submitting a pre-application enquiry which you believe to
be confidential, please supply a covering letter that sets out the
reasons why, and for what period, any information in regard to the
enquiry needs to remain confidential. In doing so, this Authority
may accept the justification for confidentiality, and will make
every effort in so far as the Act allows, to ensure that the
information is 'inaccessible' in the sense of not being in the
public domain, or a matter of public knowledge. However, the
passage of time may mean that the information is no longer
sufficiently sensitive to be considered 'confidential'.
The decision as to whether or not to release information lies
with the Local Authority. The Authority must therefore carefully
consider claims for exemption, as a third party may challenge a
decision, which could result in costs being awarded.