Making A Planning Application
Please read the guidance below before making an application. Applications which do not contain all of the required information will be deemed Invalid and your application will be delayed whilst we wait for further information.
If you are unsure if your proposal needs planning permission, you may find the Do I need Planning Permission page helpful, available from the navigation on the left.
Planning Constraints
There are a number of constraints that may affect the ability to carry out works to a property, and whether you need permission. Further details are available on the Planning Constraints page.
Planning Application Validation Guide - What you need to submit
Lancaster City Council has published a comprehensive Planning Application Validation Guide. The guide details everything you need to submit for anything from a house extension to a major retail or housing development.
The Validation Guide includes:
- How to submit quality Planning Applications
- How your application will be processed
- Detailed descriptions of the plans and supporting statements that are required
- Guidance on Outline and Major Planning Applications
- Validation Checklists
You can download a copy from the Planning Application Validation Guide link in the navigation on the left.
How to Submit Your Application
Apply online at the Planning Portal
If you are unsure of how to use the Planning Portal, take a look at the video tutorials they have produced. These take you through the whole process of submitting an application.
Applications can be submitted electronically via the Planning Portal. You can complete the forms electronically and attach your plans and supporting information to your application. Your application will be downloaded from the portal automatically and loaded into our back office system for processing. No printing, no postage and no need to leave your office!
To ensure that your online application is processed quickly, electronic copies of all plans and supporting documents should be attached, preferably in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format.
If your application includes a considerable number of plans or large files containing supporting documentation, then you may wish to send this information on a CD or DVD disk. This usually speeds up the statutory consultation process.
If you don't wish to use the Planning Portal, you will need to obtain forms from our forms page.
Alternatively paper-based applications are still acceptable although they can take longer to process. These too must be submitted on the 1APP application form. All paper applications, plans and supporting documents should be sent to:
Development Control Team
PO Box 4
Town Hall
Lancaster
LA1 1QR
Even when submitting your application on paper, it is extremely useful for us to have a copy of any plans of documents in electronic format on a CD. If you provide a CD, it is only necessary to supply 1 paper copy of each document.
Planning Fees
Most applications attract a planning fee. Fees can be paid by cheque (please write your name and the site address on the back) or Credit or Debit Card over the telephone.
To pay by card please telephone 01524 582950 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
For complex applications, or if you are unsure of the correct planning fee you may find the Planning Portal Fee Calculator useful.
The fee for householder applications is currently £150.
You can download our Schedule of Planning Fees from the Downloads menu on the right.
What happens next?
Validation
Once your application is received by the council, it will checked to see if the application is valid, as per the requirements laid down in the Validation Guide.
If your application is not valid, you will be sent a letter or email informing you of this, and the additional information you will need to submit in order for us to process the application. This will inevitably cause a delay in your application being determined and so it is in the interests of the applicant or their agent to check the validation guide or contact the Planning Advice Team if they are in any doubt.
Consultation
Once the application is registered as valid the council will consult statutory bodies, such as the County Council Highways service, the Parish Council, or other council departments such as Environmental Health. Consultees are determined by the nature of the application. Near neighbours of the application will be notified and invited to give their comments.
This consultation process takes some 3-4 weeks during which the planning case officer will make an initial assessment of the proposal including a site visit. Public comments on Planning Applications are welcomed, and can be made via our Public Access for Planning service - follow the link to
Depending on whether any complications arise or if there is a need to seek amendments, the case officer will normally make a recommendation to either approve or refuse the application shortly after.
This process may take longer if there is a need to negotiate on amendments and reconsult with the relevant parties.
Reaching a decision
The authority aims to deal with the majority of applications within the target 8 weeks period (13 weeks for major applications). There are 2 procedures for reaching a decision:
Delegated Decisions
Most are dealt with under the delegated procedure, whereby the Head of the Planning Services reviews the case officer’s recommendation to ensure it accords with the Authority’s adopted policies and is consistent with other material considerations. If this is the case, the decision is then signed and issued.
Committee Decisions
For more complex or controversial proposals, the applications are reported to The Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee, which meets monthly. Here the elected Councillors make the decision following consideration of the officer’s recommendation.
The Committee Agenda and Reports will be available 1 week prior to the committee date; Draft Minutes will be available within 2 weeks of the committee meeting, and final minutes will be available within 2 weeks of approval at the following meeting.
Follow the link to Planning Committee - Dates, Agendas Reports and Minutes from the navigation on the left for more information.
Appeals
Where the Council refuses a planning application, the applicant has a right of appeal. Appeals are dealt with by The Planning Inspectorate; further information can also be found on our Planning Appeals pages. Appeal information can be also be viewed using Public Access.
Public participation at Planning Regulatory Committee
The authority operates a system whereby interested parties can address the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee on the proposals that have been referred to Committee.
For further information visit our page on Public Speaking at the Planning Regulatory Committee, or contact the Committee Clerk direct by phoning 01524 582068 or writing to Democratic Services, Lancaster City Council, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1JP.
You should firstly contact the Planning Advice Team however to check if the application is one to be considered by Committee.