The submission of a Pre-Application enquiry can be a great way to foster good working relationships with Officers and importantly secure contact information for key Council staff which can be invaluable! Having a Teams call or even better a face-to-face meeting as part of any Pre-Application is a helpful way to introduce yourself and the project in a (hopefully) more friendly and relaxed way.
A Pre-Application submission offers the opportunity to test the principle of development and secure informal views on a scheme. Some feedback also highlights how a scheme might need to be amended to make it more acceptable prior to formal submission which is helpful to have this guidance at an early stage.
Pre-Application submissions are a great opportunity to provide high-level information about a proposal without the commitment of a full suite of technical reports being required. This allows the Council to provide an initial secure and informal view and allows them to influence proposals without the cost and resources associated with a formal application. Mostly Pre-Applications remain confidential so any proposals are not usually publicised externally which can be helpful with any local sensitivities or commercial considerations.
If a positive Pre-Application is received this can be a positive addition to support any land-sale if a site is looking to be disposed of. Whilst a positive Pre-Application is not a guarantee for future success it can be used to support any future application and sets out the positive approach that has been taken to Council engagement.
A Pre-Application submission helps to alert Officers to the potential for further formal submissions in the future. If Officers have had previous involvement with a Pre-Application enquiry it can put any subsequent submission in a more positive light as it isn’t being presented ‘cold’ to the Council. Officers often appreciate this approach.
Once a formal submission has been made following a Pre-Application enquiry, Officers will often consider this in the context of how open/flexible they are to negotiations/receiving amended/additional information. Many Councils will be more amenable to discussions if a Pre-Application was submitted initially, so beginning with this process can provide additional benefits.
A Pre-Application response can highlight any technical matters which are likely to be significant as part of any formal application to allow time/resources to be allocated prior to a submission and hopefully lessen the risk of not securing Officer support. A Pre-Application response also often provides a list of information which will be required for validation which can save time and money in the long run!
Once good working relationships have been established with Officer during a Pre-Application it can often result in early notice of any key relevant events at the Council e.g. notification of a Call for Sites which can be helpful to get ahead of the curve of the process.
Whilst there are many benefits to submitting a Pre-Application it is worth noting that receiving positive feedback from the Council does not guarantee the success of a future full planning application.
Get in touch!
If you have any queries or would like to discuss how a Pre-Application could be a benefit for your site and interests, please do not hesitate to get in contact with Warner Planning, where we would be more than happy to advise.
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