Apply for planning permission

Planning is a complex process, and it can be hard to know where to start. Use this step-by-step guide to get a brief overview of the stages you will need to complete, how the decision-making process works, and what happens next.

When you are ready to make an application, we strongly recommend that you use a planning agent to assist you through the process.

You will probably need planning permission if you want to build something new, make a major change to your building (such as building an extension), or change the use of your building. If you live in a listed building, a conservation area or near to protected trees, even small alterations may require permission.

Application or notification

For some types of development (such as agricultural building, or works to trees or hedgerows), you will need to notify us of your proposed development, with a fixed period of notice before you start work. You will be free to start the work if you don't hear from us within that notice period, although this is subject to the comment below. You can do this via the standard application route on the Planning Portal: Applications (opens new window) page.

Regulation 75 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations states that it is a condition of any planning permission granted by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order made on or after 30 November 2017 that development which is likely to have a significant effect on a European site or a European offshore marine site (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects), and which is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site, must not be begun until the developer has received written notification of the approval of the local planning authority under Regulation 77. More information relating to Regulation 77 applications can be found on our Planning permission page.

Check if you need planning permission - Do I need planning permission?.

It is essential that you find out whether you need planning permission, or to send us a notification, before starting any building work. Otherwise, you may be breaking the law and we may take enforcement action against you.

We offer a pre-application advice service to anyone wanting help with a development before the submission of a planning application. This service only applies where the development involves a listed building or "non-householder" activities.

The aim of our pre-application service is to provide responsive, consistent and timely advice that de-risks the application process and reduces the time taken to deal with your application through the formal decision-making stage.

Pre-application advice will provide you with the following benefits:

an understanding of how our policies will be applied to your proposal
identify the need for specialist input at an early stage e.g. for listed buildings, transportation, trees, landscape, noise, health, ecology, contaminated land or archaeology
assist in the preparation of proposals for formal submission, which, if you follow our advice, should be handled more quickly and be more likely to result in a positive outcome
help to reduce the time that you or your professional advisors spend in working up the proposals
identify those proposals that are completely unacceptable, so saving you the cost of pursuing a formal application

More information can be found at Pre-application advice and Current pre-application advice charges.

We strongly recommend that you make your planning application online via the Planning Portal: Applications (opens new window). It should be noted that this site is not run by Wiltshire Council. If you experience any difficulties with this website, please contact support@planningportal.co.uk (opens new window) or 0333 323 4589. Registration is easy and you can complete your planning application form, upload supporting documents and pay fees online direct to the Planning Portal by credit or debit card.

There will be significant delays to the processing of hard copies.

If you cannot apply online, paper forms may be found on the Planning Portal: Download offline printable forms (opens new window).

If you decide to apply without using the Planning Portal's online guidance, check the validation checklists below to make sure that you submit all of the required supporting documents.

Information you need to supply

We determine all planning applications using national and local planning policy. There are national information requirements for all types of developments, and we may need additional information to assess how well your proposal fits our local planning policy.

GOV.UK: Guidance Making an application (National information requirements) Supports effective delivery of planning application process (opens new window)

Please read the relevant validation checklist to accompany your application, as this will inform you of everything you need to submit a valid application with Wiltshire Council.

Local validation checklists

Advertisement validation checklist (PDF, 261 KB)(opens new window)
Application for removal or variation of condition following grant of planning permission checklist (PDF, 256 KB)(opens new window)
Certificate of Lawfulness Existing Validation Checklist (PDF, 332 KB)(opens new window)
Certificate of Lawfulness Proposed Validation Checklist (PDF, 303 KB)(opens new window)
Full Planning & Advertisements Validation Checklist (PDF, 397 KB)(opens new window)
Full Planning & Listed Building Consent Validation Checklist (PDF, 402 KB)(opens new window)
Full Planning Validation Checklist (PDF, 324 KB)(opens new window)
Householder & Listed Building Validation Checklist (PDF, 322 KB)(opens new window)
Householder Validation Checklist (PDF, 331 KB)(opens new window)
Listed Building Consent Validation Checklist (PDF, 336 KB)(opens new window)
Outline Validation Checklist (PDF, 391 KB)(opens new window)
VAR Validation Checklist (PDF, 257 KB)(opens new window)

Fees and charges

Use Calculate your planning fee (planningportal.co.uk) (opens new window) to check how much your application will cost. It should be noted that this site is not run by Wiltshire Council. If you experience any difficulties with this website, please contact support@planningportal.co.uk (opens new window) or 0333 323 4589. Registration is easy and you can complete your planning application form, upload supporting documents and pay fees online direct to the Planning Portal by credit or debit card.

What happens to your application now

Your application will now go through the different stages of a planning application, leading from validation to decision. A detailed explanation of the stages can be found at Stages of a planning application.

Once you have submitted your application, we will validate it (make sure it is correct, and check that there is nothing missing) and create a record on our Planning Register. We will consult on most applications, and there will be a period of 21 days for consultees to make comments on the proposal. Finally, a planning committee or a Planning Officer will decide whether to approve it, and you will subsequently receive a planning Decision Notice.

You can check the status of your application using Search for an application: Planning & Building Control Public Register (opens new window).

Check discharging conditions

Check your planning Decision Notice carefully. Planning conditions may be applied to limit and control the way in which the planning permission is implemented and can include the requirement to submit further details for approval. The submission and agreement of details can be required prior to the commencement of the development or prior to certain other stages (such as occupation of the development). An application may be required for removal or variation of a condition following granted planning permission or Listed Building consent. Applications can be submitted via the Planning Portal: Applications (opens new window) and further information on how to apply for a planning application can be found on our website, Apply for planning permission.

Check if you need building regulations approval

You must ensure that you contact Building Control before starting any work or development, to make sure that you obtain all necessary building regulations approval. This covers issues such as the technical details of your build, safety, accessibility and structural quality.

If you do not get building regulations approval, you may have problems getting a mortgage, insuring or selling your property. We may also take enforcement action against you.

For further information, visit Building control.

Appeal against decisions

If you are the applicant and you do not agree with the planning decision we make, you can make an appeal - GOV.UK: Appeal a planning decision (opens new window).

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Apply for planning permission

1. Check if you need planning permission

Application or notification

2. Get pre-application advice

3. Submit your application