Registering and making an application

If you haven't already, you'll need to register with the Planning Portal for a planning application account before being able to make a planning application.

If you have already registered on the Planning Portal, you can begin an application after you have logged in.

Types of planning applications

The Planning Portal provides supporting information on most applications that can be made online.

• Advertisement Consent
• Agricultural or Forestry Development - Prior Approval
• Agricultural Holdings Certificate
• Approval (Discharge) of Conditions
• Approval of Reserved Matters
• Change of use - Prior Approval
• Collection Facility
• Conservation Area Consent
• Demolition of Buildings - Prior Approval
• Full Planning Consent
• Hedgerow Removal Notice
• Householder Planning Consent
• Listed Building Consent
• Larger Home Extensions - Prior Approval
• Lawful Development Certificate (existing and proposed)
• Non-Material Amendments
• Outline Planning Consent
• Removal or Variation of Conditions
• Tree Preservation Orders
• Solar Panels on non-domestic buildings
• Telecommunications Development - Prior Approval

Planning application fees

There are different fees you will need to pay us depending on the type of application you are submitting.

You can find out the cost of your planning application by referring to the Planning Portal.

Please note that Regulations to introduce the 20% increase in planning fees were made on 20 December 2017 so we were able to start applying the fee increase from 17 January 2018.

The Regulations also introduced the following fees:

• A new fee of £402 per 0.1 hectares for Permission in Principle applications.
• The ability for us to charge for applications for planning permission following the removal of permitted development rights through Article 4 Directions or by condition.
• A fee of £96 for prior approval applications (non-householder) to permitted development rights that were introduced in April 2015 and April 2017.

The National Planning Portal website also has a hub of tools, services and guidance for those working in the planning and building industry.

How to pay

You can pay for your application by cheque made payable to Stevenage Borough Council. Send the cheque with your application to our Planning and Development team.

Alternatively, once you have submitted your application, you can pay by debit or credit card over the phone by calling 01438 242838.

If you have any questions about payment or application fees, please contact our Validation Team on 01438 242838.

Please note that we are looking to provide an online payment system.

Professional advice

Before choosing a professional adviser, you should consider talking to a number of people who specialise in the type of work you want to do; whether you want to work with a professional from a small, medium or large practice to seeking a personal recommendation from your family or friends.

• Architecture Registration Board - In order for an individual to use the title "Architect", they must be registered with the ARB.
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - If you wish to appoint a Surveyor, they must be a member of the RICS.
• Chartered Association of Building Engineers - CABE are a leading body of professions who specialise in the design, construction, evaluation and maintenance of building construction.
• Chartered Architectural Technologist - To lead your project from inception to completion.
• Royal Town Planning Institute - A directory of Planning Consultants.

Statutory bodies

• Environment Agency
• Herts Middlesex Wildlife Trust
• Herts Environmental Records Centre

Planning Portal

• Greener homes
• A guide for advertisers

GOV.UK

• Land Registry
• Building Regulations
• Planning Inspectorate

Hertfordshire County Council

• Highways, roads and pavements
• Planning in Hertfordshire

Queries and questions

If you have any questions about a particular application you are looking to submit to us, you can contact our duty planning service by email at planning@stevenage.gov.uk and your request will be answered by one of our Technical Support Staff or passed over to one of our Planning Officers.

An officer will then provide you with a written response within 10 working days. However, if you do not have access to an email account, please contact the planning department's Technical Support Team on 01438 242838 who can discuss your enquiry with you or pass it over to a Planning Officer if the enquiry is more technical. Alternatively, please contact the Council’s Customer Service Centre on 01438 242242 and your request will be logged and passed over to the Planning Department for one of our Technical Support Team or Planning Officers to contact you to discuss your enquiry accordingly.

Did you know that certain works to your property such as the construction of a conservatory or the erection of a shed may not require planning permission? This is because you can undertake certain works to your property through permitted development. For further information on permitted development, please visit the Common Projects information page on the Planning Portal website.

As some properties within Stevenage have had their permitted development rights removed you are advised to contact the Duty Planning Service to check whether your property has permitted development rights.

Please note that flats and maisonettes do not have permitted development rights. As such, you may require planning permission from the council to undertake external alterations to your flat or maisonette. Therefore, it is recommended you contact the Council’s Duty Planning Service for any advice in terms of undertaking external alterations to a flat or a maisonette.