Planning Advice

The Council will provide free planning advice, where required, before a planning application is submitted.  The form of advice - either an informal discussion with the Duty Planner or a Formal Written Pre Application Letter - will vary depending on the type and complexity of the planning application proposed.  For large application, a Pre Application Meeting can be arranged.

If you are seeking advice on whether Planning Permission is required, it is recommended that you submit an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness.

Duty Planner

When

You can visit the Duty Planner between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday at the Reception Area, Dorothy Hodgkin House,12 Reading Lane, London E8 1HJ or you can phone Tel: (020) 8356 8062.

If the Duty Planner is busy with another enquiry when you telephone, they will return your call as soon as possible and within one working day.

What help is available

General and immediate face-to-face, informal planning advice without requiring an appointment.

Appropriate for minor applications such as new shop fronts, householder applications, changes of use, advertisements or new commercial development below 1000 sqm of gross floorspace, or where immediate help is required.

This service is not intended to circumvent the services provided by the Local Land Charges and Planning Register sections.  Please refer to the sheet titled Local Land Charges and Planning Register to identify the role of these sections.

Further Action

The duty planner may determine that they are not able to adequately answer your query, in which case they will recommend that you write to the Planning Team for a formal pre application responce.

Written Pre App advice

Where to send your letter:

Hackney Council
Development Control Manager
Planning and Land Charges
Dorothy Hodgkin House
12 Reading Lane
Hackney, London.  E8 1HJ

What to send

Where written advice is required please supply details in writing setting out existing site details and the proposed development (including indicative plans and photographs).

Time

A case officer will be allocated within one week of the receipt of the information and a written response or pre-application meeting arranged within a further two weeks.

What we offer

The Planning Team will set out in writing the policy context based on the specific information provided and indicate whether it complies with the policies of the adopted Unitary Development Plan and adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Advice can be provided on:

• Applications involving in excess of 1000 sqm of new floorspace or a change of use in excess of 1000 sqm, or more than 15 residential units.
• Applications involving new or additional affordable housing.
• Applications involving Listed Buildings and/ or demolition within a Conservation Area.

Pre Application Meeting

No more than one pre-application meeting will normally be provided for each site specific proposal, except for major strategic proposals which address Council wide objectives.

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Page updated: 28 Feb 2007