Making a Planning Application
Advice on your Application
Householders
For smaller common householder projects, the Planning Portal's Do you need Permission page, can provide interactive guidance on what permissions you might need, or you can complete and submit one of our Preliminary Enquiry forms. The charges for this service can be found on our Other Planning and Building Control Charges page and we will confirm to you in writing within 15 working days if you will be required to submit a Planning Application (and or Building Regulations) for the works you are proposing. There is also more information on our Householder and Planning Permission page.
Other Applications
For help on submitting applications relating to businesses or working from home go to our Businesses and Planning Applications page.
Where the principle of Planning Permission being required has been established and you require further Pre-Application Planning Advice, please be aware that the Council makes a charge for this service. Please visit our Introduction of charges for Pre Application Planning Advice page.
Making an Application
If you need to make an application, you can do so either by completing the forms electronically using your computer via the Planning Portal from the Planning Forms page, or in the traditional manner by completing a paper form. If you require any help with completing the forms please contact us using the details above.
All the forms can be found on our Planning Forms page, the Planning Portal's Form Chooser page, or you can request them by calling us on the following numbers (01623) 463202, 463207 463077. Alternatively you can e-mail pbc@mansfield.gov.uk or collect a form from the Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Notts. NG19 7BH
If you are submitting an application on previously developed land (known as brownfield sites), you may find the guidance document "Developing Land Within Nottinghamshire", produced by Nottinghamshire Contaminated Land sub group useful.
Making On-Line Applications and Payments
Mansfield District Council welcomes and actively encourages the submission of planning applications made on-line. Through our partnership with the Planning Portal we are able to offer access to a comprehensive and integrated on-line planning applications service.
You can submit and pay for your Planning Application from the Planning Portal web site from the Planning Portal - Make an Application page . This can be done by completing the forms on your computer and then submitting the on-line application form along with any associated attachments. (Please be aware that the Planning Portal limits size of attachments) If you are submitting an on-line application using the Planning Portal you can also create your site location plan at the same time. Extensive on-line assistance is provided on the Planning Portal Web site to help you through the submission process.
When submitting your planning application using the Planning Portal you can choose to pay for these services electronically. Alternatively you can pay over the phone using your credit or debit card by calling us on 01623 463077 or 463207, or send a cheque by post.
Making a Paper Based Application
If you submit a paper based application you should use the forms supplied by the Council, which are available on the Planning Forms page or those provided on the Planning Portal's Form Chooser page. One original and three copies of the forms and all plans and drawings are required, it is important that you answer all the questions fully. Guidance notes are included with the forms, but if you have any questions please ask for help using the contact details above.
Types of Application
There are 3 main types of application:
a) Outline application
This is the sort of application you should consider submitting if you want to find out if a proposal is acceptable in principle, without having to prepare detailed drawings. It is therefore suited to proposals which are large-scale, or where a favourable decision may not be likely. Outline permission can only be used for building works, not to change the use of buildings or land, and does not allow you to start work until you have received approval of reserved matters. This form of application is not normally suitable for house extensions.
b) Approval of reserved matters
This follows on from the outline approval and is concerned with access, scale, layout, landscaping and appearance. Only when these matters have been approved may work start.
c) Full application
This contains all details of the proposal and must be made when it is proposed to change the use of land or buildings. It is also suitable for building works of a relatively minor nature (e.g. house extensions) or where there is little doubt that the proposal is acceptable in principle. As this approach involves only one application rather than the two stage approach set out in a) and b) it is usually quicker.
In all cases it is always best to make an appointment to discuss your proposal with a planning officer before making the application.
Ensuring you submit a valid application.
The District Council is keen to ensure that the planning application you submit is valid on submission and that we can process it promptly for you without the need to contact you for further details or information. We need to make sure that the forms are filled in correctly and that all the necessary supporting documentation that we require has been included. To this end we have adopted a Scheme of Validation for Planning Applications, which contains lists of all the information that must be submitted with each application type.
How Applications are Dealt With
Once your application is received it is checked to make sure that it is in order. If it is incomplete or unclear, or if the fee is not correct you will be contacted so that matters can be put right. When it is clear that the application is in order it will be acknowledged and you will be informed of its reference number and a date by which it is hoped to make a decision.
Planning applications are public documents and anyone who wants to see your application can do so. Your application form drawings and attachments will be scanned and made available on the Internet, however in compliance with the Data Protection Act your telephone number(s), email address(es) and signature(s) will be removed from the form which is published on the internet, they will remain on the Planning Register. The Council must also try to notify neighbours who may be affected by your proposal and this is usually done by letter. All members of the public must be given a 21 day period to make comments on applications, and the Council must consider observations received. In some cases the Council may have to publicise your proposal by posting a site notice or press notice.
A number of organisations may be asked to comment on your application depending upon what it is you intend to do, and where you intend to do it. The most common consultees are the Council's highways engineers (who give advice on car parking and access arrangements) and drainage engineers.
The planning officer dealing with your application will visit the site and consider any comments received by the Council. They may contact you for more information or to suggest changes to your proposal to increase its chances of receiving permission. If you choose to have an agent act on your behalf (normally the person who does your plans) all contact will be with them.
Applications are considered against the plans and policies of the Council and particular attention is paid to the possible effects your proposal could have on your neighbours - matters such as overlooking, loss of privacy, and loss of light are all relevant planning considerations.
After the decision is made you will be sent a decision notice. If you have been given planning permission it may depend on conditions, which you should read carefully. If you are unhappy with the conditions you may be able to appeal against them. However, it is always best to talk to the planning officer first, and see if a compromise is possible. If permission is refused you can appeal against the decision. Again, it is worth asking the planning officer first why the Council made the decision, and whether a compromise is possible.
For more information about the appeals process, use the link to our Planning Appeals page or visit the Planning Portal's Appeals page.