We have a range of planning advice options
Remember, not all works need a planning application. Some works are excluded from the definition of development and do not need planning permission. Government also grants planning permission for a range of works which can be undertaken without application – known as permitted developments.
Duty planner
We have a duty planner available by phone each weekday between 0930 and 1200 to answer queries on a first come first served basis. This service is for short telephone conversations (01539 724555) or brief email replies only. Generally telephone conversations will be more effective.
Our team work across multiple offices, remotely, and out in the national park. If you travel to our offices you are likely to be disappointed and unable to meet a team member.
Written advice
We have four different written advice options for schemes which would benefit from more detailed advice, for example larger or more complex schemes (charges apply).
Our written advice options
For projects seeking written advice and guidance on policy and issues likely to arise from a scheme. Site visits and meetings are at our discretion and will not always be required.
- initial proposal and constraints review by the case planner
- site visit or meeting
- written advice
Review of one further iteration following our initial Advice or a withdrawn planning application. Meetings and site visits are not normally required and are always at our discretion.
- one review of a further iteration of the development proposal
- one follow-on written advice based on a second iteration of the proposal
For projects that wish to develop a scheme with us through multiple design iterations, or need detailed advice or working arrangements, but do not warrant a fully managed PPA process. Examples include: projects with well-established project management where the developer knows specifically what they want from us and when, projects with several sites, or projects which seek to develop a scheme over several design iterations. Includes:
- initial proposal and constraints review by the case planner
- a site meeting with you
- written advice statement
- up to four follow-up reviews of any additional information and revisions you provide following our first advice, including visits and meetings as needed
A fully managed process for significant casework that is large in scale or complex in planning terms. Includes a named PPA team, jointly agreed timetable covering pre-application, application and implementation as appropriate, written summary of our planning advice, review meetings as required, and a validation meeting.
Cost on quotation
Frequently asked questions
To request written advice, email planning@lakedistrict.gov.uk with your:
- Completed request form (Word document form or PDF form)
- Location plan
- Existing and proposed plans if you want design comments
- Any other supporting information you think is relevant
- Fee
- To pay over the phone, call 01539 724555 (Mon-Fri, 0930 to 1600).
- To pay by BACS:
Account name: Lake District National Park Authority
Sort-code: 01-04-66
Account number 33612129 - Send a cheque to Lake District National Park Authority, Wayfaring House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7RL. Cheques should be made payable to Lake District National Park Authority.
Normally we trust developers to select the advice option that best suits their needs, taking into account the size and complexity of their project, their own understanding of planning laws and policies, and the level of support and engagement they need. From time to time however we may decline to provide advice under the option selected, for example if the proposals characteristics make it unsuitable for the advice option selected. In a small number of instances we may decline to provide advice at all, for example if a proposal appears irretrievably unacceptable. Pre-application advice is offered at our discretion.
We have a limited number of pre-application slots available in our workload each week. When we receive requests we allocate them to slots on a first come first served basis. We will then let you know our start date for your enquiry and the estimated turnaround time (which will vary depending on how many requests we have received). For advice and follow-up we aim to respond within four weeks from the start date. For timeline we aim to provide our first response within four weeks or a date we have agreed with you. PPAs run to a bespoke timetable.
Developers, the public and other third-parties cannot assign, programme, allocate or insert additional new work directly into team members’ workloads. We handle around 2000 pieces of statutory casework each year. We offer pre-application advice at our discretion in addition to our legally required work. If you try to pursue detailed pre-application advice directly from our Case Planners you will be disappointed.
Yes. We must provide copies of enquiries to the public upon request unless you have demonstrated reasons why your query is exempt information under the Environmental Information Regulations or Freedom of Information Act – both have a presumption in favour of disclosure. Even if parts of your enquiry are exempt information, we may have to release it in part or in a redacted form. The Information Commissioner can also direct us to release information. Although we do not normally publicise requests for planning advice, we may also share information about your enquiry where the issues raised are relevant to other schemes or applications. We cannot guarantee that any enquiry will be confidential.
