FAQ
What type of work requires planning permission?
New buildings, major alterations or enlargement of existing buildings and changes in use of buildings and land is defined as development, and will normally require planning permission. Before any work or change in use is undertaken you are advised to contact the Planning and Development Control service for advice on Southampton (023) 8083 2603
What are 'permitted development' rights?
Some house alterations, minor extensions, agricultural and telecommunication developments benefit from these rights which mean that planning permission is granted by national legislation without the need to apply to the Council. However, you should always check with the Council’s Building Control Serviceto see whether the works you wish to undertake need to comply with the Building Regulations. Many alterations need to comply with the Building Regulations even though they do not need planning permission.
Where can I get planning advice?
Advice on planning is available from many different sources; Government web sites (see links), this web site (see planning advice), leaflets and information available at Gateway Reception, the Duty Planning Officer or by telephone, letter and Email.
Where is the Planning Office?
The Planning Office is located on the Ground Floor of the Civic Centre. Public access to files and other advice is through Gateway (One Stop Shop) in the Civic Centre. (see map)
When is the Planning Office open?
The Gateway Reception area is open: Monday - Friday 08:30 - 17:30. There is no public entry to the Planning Office itself. The Planning Office Admin is available from 08:30 to 17:00 Monday to Thursday and up to 16:30 on Friday. FAX No. is (023) 8083 2607 and Email address is planning@southampton.gov.uk where enquiries can be sent.
What does submitting an application involve?
You can submit a planning application using several different methods. By post, send the application with all relevant documents and correct fee to the contact address below. If you are unsure about the documents required or the fee to pay, please call the enquiry line on 023 8083 2603.
You can go to the Planning Portal where you can submit a planning application online including card payment and associated documentation.
In the majority of cases this will involve the submission of scaled drawings, application forms and an appropriate fee. We ask for a minimum of 5 copies because we make the application available to a number of people or departments. For example we keep a copy available for the public inspection, and we may consult experts such as Highway Engineers, Water Services Providers etc.
A planning technician or duty officer is available during office hours to help you fill in the forms and check that the application is complete. If you require an appointment you can telephone the Gateway Offices. The number for appointments is 023 8083 2166.
Alternatively you can e-mail using the following address: gateway@southampton.gov.uk and they will confirm this appointment within 1 working day.
If you decide to employ someone to act as your agent to deal with your application, all correspondence regarding the application will be sent to them. However, there is no legal requirement for an agent, it is simply a personal choice.
What happens to a planning application ?
Once we have received an application, it will go through a number of processes:-
It is registered and checked to ensure it is fully and properly completed, and that it contains all documentation required, the correct fee has been paid and there is a signed completed ownership certificate.
An advertisement is placed in the local newspaper, and site notices posted in appropriate places.
Consultations that have a 21 day expiry period are carried out with various local and national bodies, the consultees vary depending on the type of application that is submitted, amenity groups, community action forums, other sections of the Council; other people affected by the application, (like occupiers of neighbouring properties).
The site will be visited by a planning officer, who will contact you if more information or amendments are considered advisable.
The application is then considered, taking into account relevant Council policies and any past history or decisions on that site for similar applications.
Finally, the application will either go to a Council Planning and Rights of Way Panel or be considered by the Chief Officer responsible for planning matters. After the Panel or Chief Officer’s decision, depending on the outcome, the applicant, or the Agent if you have employed one, will receive a copy of the application and the decision that has been made.
What is the Planning and Rights of Way Panel and are all applications decided this way?
The Panel that decides planning applications is called the Planning and Rights of Way Panel and meets approximately every 4 weeks on a Tuesday (Please contact for dates of panel meetings). and members of the public are welcome to attend.
Usually only the more complex or controversial applications are referred to the Committee. However any Councillor may request that an application is decided this way. You may therefore wish to make your views known to your Councillor as well as the Planning Department. Councillors names and addresses can be obtained from this web site. In certain circumstances members of the public are allowed to address the committee. For further details see advice note for "Public Speaking at Planning Applications Panel". Your views should therefore be put in writing before the meeting so they can be taken into account.
Applications not decided by the Planning and Rights of Way Committee are dealt with under powers delegated to the Development Control Manager (Chief Officer). This means that the manager makes the decision on many applications with help from the other planning staff. This helps to speed up the overall process.
How do I comment on an application?
Anybody can comment on an application and they should be made in writing and sent to the Planning Department at the address below, no later than 21 days after the application has begun the consultation process, to ensure that they will be taken into account. Please give the application reference number and site location address in the letter.
You may also leave your comments through the Public Access module following the instructions or by email planning@southampton.gov.uk quoting the application number. Please ensure that you let us know your name and address as we will only respond to you through the Royal Mail.
We can only consider planning matters which, for example:
| INCLUDE: | DO NOT INCLUDE: |
| Loss of Privacy | House values |
| Loss of light | Loss of view |
| Car parking | Personal disagreements |
| Noise and disturbance | Boundary disputes |
| Character of the area | Covenants |
| Green belt | |
| Traffic generation | |
| Conservation Area |
For advice on what can be considered on a specific application please contact the person dealing with the application - the Case Officer.
What is your contact address?
Development Control Service
Southampton City Council
Ground Floor
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LS
What happens after the decision is made?
All contributors are informed of the decision. A contributor is anyone who has made a comment, whether in favour or against the development.
If planning permission is granted, objectors do not have a right to appeal against the decision. If the application is refused, only the person who has made the application has the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate who will investigate and make a final decision based on their findings. Applicants can appeal against a refusal of permission, a condition of a planning permission, or against non-determination, (if the Council has failed to make a decision within the 8 week period following the validation of the application).
Reporting Unauthorised development?
Unauthorised development not only covers new buildings, but also changes of use, advertisements, or work to listed buildings. If you suspect that an unauthorised development has taken place, please let us know. We will investigate your complaint and report back to you on what we find as the investigation progresses. We also promise strict confidence in our dealings with you when you provide us with information as part of an enforcement investigation.
Last updated: 19 October 2007
