Pre-application advice
You can obtain pre-application advice from Hackney Planning Service in three ways:
- Speak with the Duty Planner for free, verbal advice
- Request the 15 day pre-application service. There are two types of 15 day pre-application services:
1. Householders - this is a free service
2. Other and small-scale development - see development types and fees below 
- Request the 30 day pre-application service for a more comprehensive, written response. This is only available for specific proposals - see fees below.
For more information on the pre-application services we offer, please download our Pre-application Advice (PDF, 1MB) leaflet.
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Please also take a look at Hackney's adopted planning policy documents including our residential extensions and alterations SPD, which provides clear up-to-date, consistent and relevant borough wide guidance, in line with government advice and best practice.
It will help in providing applicants with a clearer understanding of the Council's requirements, with the aim of improving the quality of applications and the consistency and speed of decisions, whilst protecting both residential amenity and townscape quality.
Pre-application charges
Fee table as of 14 March 2011
| Category | Development Description | Fee* | Follow-up fee |
| 15 day pre-application service | |||
|
Householder |
Alteration, improvement and/or enlargement of existing dwellinghouse, or development within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse. |
Free | Free |
|
Other Development |
Changes of use of 99m2 or less; extensions to commercial properties of 99m2 or less; shopfronts; minor physical alterations to commercial properties; small-scale advertisement applications; individual telecommunications equipment; developments involving listed buildings or building in Conservation Areas. |
£150 |
Free |
|
Small-scale development |
1-4 residential units and/or 100m2 - 499m2 non-residential floorspace. |
£300 | £150 |
| 30 day pre-application service | |||
|
Minor |
5-9 residential units and/or 500m2 - 999m2 non-residential floorspace. |
£750 |
£375 |
|
Medium |
10-24 residential units and/or 1000m2 - 1999m2 non-residential floorspace. |
£1,500 | £750 |
|
Major |
25-49 residential units and/or 2000m2 - 4999m2 non-residential floorspace. |
£2,500 | £1,250 |
|
Larger-scale Major |
50 or more residential units and/or 5000m2 or more non-residential floorspace. |
£3,000 | £1,500 |
|
Proposals on behalf of a Registered Social Landlord (RSL), Primary Care Trust (PCT), Learning Trust, Hackney Homes or for Council - advice provided as appropriate to the proposal. |
Free | Free | |
*Cheques should be made payable to London Borough of Hackney
Useful documents and links
- Topics to be discussed at the pre-application meeting (PDF)
- Pre-Application Report template for the chargeable service (PDF)
- Plan Requirements for Planning Applications (PDF)
- Good example of plans and drawings
- Design and Access Statement Guidance (PDF, 75KB)
- When you do formalise your application - do it on-line
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding pre-application advice please contact the Pre-Application Co-ordinator on 020 8356 7757, the Duty Planning Officer on 020 8356 8062 or email planning@hackney.gov.uk
Page updated: 20 Oct 2011
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