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Guidance before submitting an application

We are currently experiencing intermittent technical issues whilst migrating to a new Planning system, please accept our apologises during this period.

Pre-application Advice

The pre application and enquiry service has TEMPORARILY been SUSPENDED due to the high volume of applications we are receiving. Pre applications for major and strategic developments will continue to be accepted. 

If you are seeking advice on whether planning permission would be required please see our planning guides.

Alternatively you can submit a certificate of lawfulness application. 

If you have established that you need planning permission, you'll need to submit a planning application.

What to submit with your application

To ensure your application is valid there are certain pages you'll need to read and certain information you might need to submit as part of your planning application.

Check what you need to submit with your application

National and Local Validation Criteria - published 29th January 2020

Biodiversity Guidance

Apply for Planning Permission

Once you know what you need to submit with your planning application, you will need to decide how you wish to apply.

To apply for planning permission you can either:

Submitting your application through the planning portal has the following benefits:

  • you do not need to provide multiple copies of the application, saving printing costs
  • no postage costs as you can also pay your fee online Please note our online payment system is currently experiencing technical difficulties. We will have this up and running again as soon as possible, so please try again later.
  • your details can be saved for future use
  • you can also keep the submission in draft until you are fully ready to submit your application
  • 24 hour service access

Please be aware that you may also require building regulation approval. For further information please contact the building consultancy team by emailing building.consultancy@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk or calling (01283) 508609.

Data Protection and Copyright

The Council is fully committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals, including staff, contractors, service users and others, by ensuring lawful use of their personal data in accordance with the Act.  The Council will take all necessary steps to implement this policy and to ensure that all staff are fully aware of it and abide by it. The applicants name and address will be displayed on the website, site notice and publicity notice.  Information relating to Planning applications will be held indefinitely in order to maintain the planning register.

When viewing planning applications the data is publicly available for the purposes of holding a planning register which is a legal requirement and should not be used for any other purpose. Plans, drawings and materials submitted to the Council are protected by the copyright acts (section 47, 1988). You may only use material which is downloaded and/or printed for consultation purposes; to compare current applications with previous schemes and to check whether developments have been completed together with approved plans. Further copies must not be made without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Please note: Information submitted on the Planning Application Form and supporting information will be published on the website.