Before making an application, we would encourage you to discuss your proposal with us. We are happy to offer pre-application advice, free of charge. For this we offer an appointment system through the Council's main reception. This includes:

• whether planning permission will be needed
• what you will need to provide to make a planning application
• informal advice based on relevant local and national planning policies (for example, you might be advised that a housing development is unlikely to gain permission because it is outside a sustainable village)

If possible, you will be told whether you need planning permission over the phone, but often you will be advised to obtain an opinion in writing.  In the case of householder proposals, you will be advised to fill in a planning permission enquiry form.  This will allow us to search the planning history of the property for issues that might affect your proposal.

For more information for householders and to obtain a copy of the planning permission enquiry form, please see Do I need Planning Permission (Householder)

We provide a 'development team response' to major enquiries.  The Council offers the facility to applicants who have complicated proposals which require the input of several services, to co-ordinate these through a development team. The team is assembled and managed by a designated officer who is responsible for bringing together all appropriate services within the Council, particularly Planning, Building Control, Environmental Health, Housing, and Economic Development, together with any outside agencies such as the County Highway Authority. The purpose of this is to resolve any potentially conflicting requirements by the various regulators before any submissions are made to the Council for its formal decision. This saves both time and expense.

Contact Details

South Derbyshire District Council
Planning Services
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel: 01283 228706
Email: planning@south-derbys.gov.uk