Pre-application advice for businesses
Advice for developers
As a result of competing challenges and resource issues across the Development Management team, the pre-application service offered by us will be reduced to focus on very large and major projects only.
This will be effective from 1 September 2026.
We apologise for any instances of delayed pre-application responses. This has prompted a re-focus on the service.
Please note: the following categories of proposals identified in the list of fees will no longer form part of the pre-application service:
- Category C – minor development
- Category D – works to listed buildings
- Category E – changes of use (not including major developments or engineering works)
- Category F – domestic extensions and one dwelling (although design notes for these proposals are being prepared by the Council).
Category D proposal applicants are strongly advised to seek the professional advice of an architect when devising schemes affecting the form, fabric, character and setting of listed buildings.
Although the pre-application service is being streamlined, we continue to promote the ‘Design Optimisation Service’ (DOS), which focuses on the urban, architectural and landscape design quality of proposals.
DOS will also be expanded to provide a ‘DOS Domestic Service’. This will focus on single new build dwellings, single and double storey householder extensions and loft conversions.
DOS has been devised and managed by our urban designer to raise the design quality of all proposals. You are invited to contact the urban designer (sukhvinder.sehmbi@derby.gov.uk) directly to discuss the scale and format of this service.
Pre-application submission
Fill in the Development Control Pre-application Form and return it with payment and any information or plans you wish to submit at the outset for us to consider. We will not progress your request for advice, until we have received payment.
We recommend the following is submitted with any pre-application:
- Pre-application form
- Supporting statement (outlining development proposal)
- Site location plan
- Any proposal plans (site layout, floor plans, elevations, sections)
- Any relevant surveys/reports carried out
- Commercially sensitive material checklist
'Without prejudice' advice
Our planning officers will try to ensure that any pre-application advice is robust. However, any advice given is without prejudice and not binding on any future decision we might make and cannot pre-empt consideration of a formal application. Also, we might change our views on the merits of a proposal if there is a change in circumstances after we have given pre-application advice, such as a change in government policy or case law.
We are required to make decisions on valid applications within timescales set by government. You risk refusal if you have not submitted all the information we require at the outset.
We have published guidance on how we deal with planning applications.
Pre-application fees
All fees are effective from 1 January 2023.
| Category | Development type | Examples | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | Very large development |
|
£3600 (+£500 per hour for extra meetings) |
| Category B | Major development |
|
£3000 (+£400 per hour for extra meetings) |
| Category c | Minor development |
|
£1560 (+£300 per hour for extra meetings) |
| Category D | Works to listed buildings | £600 | |
| Category E |
Change of use (not including major developments or engineering work) |
£250 | |
| Category F | Domestic extensions and one dwelling |
|
£100 |
| Category G | Actual high hedge applications | £550 | |
| Category H | Advice not covered by any of the above categories or requires a fee with agreement | A bespoke fee will be agreed in advance based on various factors |