The Flood and Development Management Team responds to consultations on planning applications on behalf of Westmorland and Furness Council in its capacity as:
- Local Highway Authority
- Lead Local Flood Authority
- Local Education Authority
Benefits of pre-planning advice
Pre-planning application discussions can result in an improved application that is more likely to be approved. Developers have found the pre-application process can reduce overall costs by cutting down on further work and speeding-up the decision making process once an planning application has been submitted.
The advice can cover views and guidance on:
- suitability of highway access, layout and/or parking arrangements
- whether a drainage strategy or design is likely to be acceptable
- the level of detail needed in documentation required to be submitted in support of a planning application - such as whether a Transport Note, Transport Statement, Transport Assessment and/or Travel Plan is required and the scope of its content
- whether a contribution towards highways, drainage or education infrastructure is likely to be required
- relevant standards and policies that should be applied
Pre-application charges
The charges for this service currently stand at:
£676.80 (inclusive of VAT) for major developments (which are defined as proposals for residential development of 21 or more residential dwellings and all forms of commercial/industrial development).
£337.20 (inclusive of VAT) for minor developments (which are defined as proposals for residential development of 5 to 20 dwellings).
Please note that charges are reviewed annually and any alterations to their basis or increases are applied from the 1 April.
Once a fully supported request for advice has been received, the council will arrange for an invoice to be issued.
How to apply
To get planning advice, complete a copy of the application form and attach the support documentations that are specified in the form.
Form for Pre-Planning Application Advice (.doc, 75KB)
The completed form and relevant supporting documents should be sent to us by email.
Email: PreApp@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Please note that this service is just for Highways, Drainage and Education advice. If a full pre-app service is required, the scope, fees and how to apply are on our pre-planning webpage.The highways, drainage and education advice will be included in the full pre-app service if the more wide-ranging review is required.
Responding to planning applications
The Flood and Development Management Team responds on behalf of the council as a consultee to the local and county planning authorities planning applications as the:
- Local Highway Authority
- Lead Local Flood Authority
- Education Authority
If you would like any information in relation to our response to a planning application, please contact us.
Telephone: 0300 373 3306
Email: PreApp@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk