Before you apply
This page provides some advice to consider before you submit a planning application.
Advice and guidance
We can provide advice regarding the need for planning permission and the process of submitting an application.
Office-based advice is available through a duty planner at the Town Hall in Castlefield Road, Reigate who is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week between 9am and noon. No appointment is necessary.
General planning advice is also available by telephone by contacting the Council’s customer helpline 01737 276000
For other more formal pre-application advice either in writing or by a meeting, a charge does apply. For further information go to the charges page.
Planning applications can be complicated
When making an application it is very important that you submit all the information necessary for the Council to be able to accept the application as valid and complete, and then proceed to consider and make a decision on your proposals. The Local Validation List clearly identifies the information that we will normally require to be able to register, assess and determine your planning applications.
For major structural changes we suggest you employ an agent who knows the intricacies of the planning system and can draw up plans that meet our planning requirements as well as your needs.
Contacting your neighbours
We will tell your neighbours about any application you make and it is therefore wise, as well as courteous, to tell them what you plan to do now.
It may be that you can overcome any objections they may have by making minor adjustments to your proposal.
Take the following steps first
Whether you choose to employ an agent, seek our advice or work alone, we expect you to take the following steps before drawing up your proposal:
1. Assess the character of the surrounding area and consider how your proposal could respect it. The character of an area is influenced by:
- the appearance of existing buildings, their mass, height, and architectural details
- the materials used in the buildings
- spacing between buildings
- trees and hedges and their relationship with buildings and the street
- road layout and design
- the dominant land use, e.g. residential or commercial.
2. Identify natural and built features within and adjacent to the site that should be preserved (e.g. listed buildings and significant trees).
3. Consider the likely transport impacts of their proposal and how these may be mitigated.
4. Consider the likely neighbour amenity impacts of their proposal and how these may be mitigated.
5. Identify planning policies relevant to your proposal.
6. Select a design approach that addresses the above points.
7. Consult your neighbours, local businesses and community groups if appropriate.
8. Consider recycling and waste implications of the proposed development. For further advice, please see recycling and waste developers guidance.
Contact
Email planning.applications@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Last updated : 15/05/2013
