Types of Planning Application

Applications for planning permission are submitted to the District Council and can take one of three forms:

Outline planning applications

These are submitted in order to establish whether a development is likely to be acceptable in principle. Conditions are usually attached to set out guidelines for the final development of the site. Outline planning applications cannot be made for a change of use.

The Council does not normally accept applications for outline planning permission in conservation areas, on listed buildings or where the setting of listed buildings is affected – in these cases applications should be for full permission.

Reserved matters

If outline permission has been granted then the Council will require the further details to be submitted for approval for the details of the development. Reserved matters application must normally be submitted within three years of the date of the outline permission, otherwise it will lapse. In some cases, further details will be reserved by conditions imposed when granting full planning permission.

Full planning application

This type of application includes all details of the proposed development including site layout, building plans and types of building materials to be used. Development must normally start within three years of the date of the permission, otherwise the permission will lapse.

General Notes

If an application is for extensions to a house or for development within the garden eg a garage then the Council has a shortened application form, a Householder Application.

By law applicants have to pay a fee to the Council when making an application. Details of the scale of fees which are charged according to a nationally laid-down scale, is available from the Council or from the website by going to Planning application fees (see link)

Detailed guidance notes on the completion of application forms are also available.

If your are proposing amendments to a listed building it is advisable to take advice from the Conservation & Design Officer, Dr Paul Collins, before applying, who can be contacted on (01902) 696425 or email to p.collins@sstaffs.gov.uk.

You can find out more information about placing any kind of advertisement on your premises, including the fixing of a shop sign, by going to Advertisement Contol (see link).

For more information contact the Development Control Section (see contacts in planning link)