Planning and Pre-application Advice

Enquiries for pre-application advice should be written on a pre-application enquiry form and submitted to  planning@nottinghamcity.gov.uk. Please include the relevant fee and necessary supporting documents.

We aim* to give you a response within the timescales stated below:

• Smaller pre-applications (proposals within categories E, F, G, H and I)
  
  • 4 weeks
• Larger pre-applications (proposals within categories A, B, C and D)
  • 5 weeks

We will ensure that any advice we give is robust. However, the advice we provide cannot commit the Council to a particular decision on any formal application.

*April ‘23 – whilst we aim to respond within the above timeframes, the team are currently dealing with a backlog of cases and response times may be longer than stated above.

To cover the cost of the pre-application advice service, there is a charge. This charge is based upon the level of the proposed development.

Fees are payable by card or by bank transfer. Please contact us on 0115 876 4447 to pay over the phone or request bank details.

A copy of our Pre-application advice charging structure can be found at the bottom of this page.

If you can't find the answer to your enquiry on our website, please email us at planning@nottinghamcity.gov.uk with your requirements.

Please note, that we no longer accept cheques as payment for pre-application advice. Fees can be paid by card over the phone or by bank transfer. Please contact us on 0115 876 4447 (Option 2 then Option 5) to pay over the phone or request bank details.

To help make the process for determining of S106 open and transparent a new tool has been produced to give a summary of likely financial contributions for the following infrastructure;

• Affordable Housing
• Open Space
• Education; and
• Employment & Training

S106 Estimator

It should be noted that this is a working tool that will be adapted to changing guidance and will be reviewed as new Supplementary Planning Documents are produced and as annual costs are reviewed. It is important therefore that the latest version of the S106 Estimator is always downloaded.

Further details about the tool can be found on the S106 Estimator page. 

The Design Quality Framework is a series of guides to help you make better design choices for your building project and to meet Nottingham City Council planning requirements more easily. The framework is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the National Design Guide. Further details can be found on the dedicated DQF webpages.

Please also see YouTube videos below.

• How to apply the DQF to your scheme - Nottingham City Design Quality Framework - YouTube
• How to achieve an efficient & cost effective design process - NCC Planning Process Video - YouTube

Our Highways Development Control team work with applicants to ensure that development sites can be accessed by all modes of transport. We ensure that it does not negatively impact the highway network.
 
It is our responsibility to make a recommendation to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). This may include the need for planning conditions and obligations. The applicant is to be responsible for implementing and funding these.
 
Please contact Highways Development Control on 0115 876 5263 or 0115 876 5252 for further advice.

Nottingham is one of the leading cities in the UK for supporting sustainable transport. Engaging in pre-application discussions with the Transport Strategy team will help you gain a clear understanding of local transport guidance and policies. For more information please contact transport.strategy@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Our in house urban design team can offer professional advice on the design of your proposal. They can assist in its preparation and during the planning application process.

This can involve producing conceptual layouts and design principles for residential, commercial or environmental improvement proposals. The Urban Design team offers advice on heritage assets and works to trees.

The Design Quality Framework offers guidance on design criteria for Nottingham City. Also, our in house urban design team can offer professional advice on the design of your proposal. They can also assist in its preparation and during the planning application process. We also have our own Design Review Panel, who can independently review your scheme.

The Environmental Health and Safer Places team can provide advice and information on a range of environmental issues that will identify and minimise risks and constraints and assist a developer to reduce the time it takes to go from an initial idea to the completed development.

Further information can be found on our Pre-Application Advice Charges for Environmental/Public Health Protection Issues or you can email us on pollution.control@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Nottingham is one of the leading cities in the UK for supporting sustainable transport. Engaging in pre-application discussions with the Transport Strategy team will help you gain a clear understanding of local transport guidance and policies. For more information please contact transport.strategy@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Royal Town Planning Institute

If you are looking for alternative sources of planning advice, an online directory of planning consultants is available on the Royal Town Planning Institute website at http://www.rtpiconsultants.co.uk/

Planning Aid England

Planning Aid England offers planning advice and support to individuals and communities- visit their website at http://www.rtpi.org.uk

Planning Portal

The governments online Planning Portal provides interactive guides and information about the planning system.

Archaeological Remains

The City Archaeologist can provide advice regarding proposed developments which may impact upon archaeological remains. Advice can be given about known archaeology (including caves) and the potential for unknown archaeological remains within a site. The City Archaeologist recommends early contact to discuss an application so that applicants can be made aware, at an early stage, of archaeological work that may be required in advance of and/or during development works.

The City Archaeologist can be contacted by email at uad@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

• Pre-application advice charges for planning
• Pre-application enquiry form
• Rights of Way Developer Guidance
• Rights of Way & Highways Developer Leaflet
• Pre-Application Advice - Charges for Environmental and Public Health Protection