Pre-planning application advice

We are committed to providing an efficient and effective planning service, which meets government performance targets for the processing of applications.

We recognise the value of pre-application discussions for the efficient handling of subsequent applications, and therefore encourage applicants, developers and their agents to engage in this process, particular on major development proposals.

Pre-application advice service for major developments

We offer a formal process for requests for advice related to major developments. Since 2 January 2008 a fee has applied to the provision of this service.
Find out more and download an application form and guidance

Pre-application advice for other developments

We also provide pre-application advice for applications which are not for major developments. This advice is provided free of charge. You should include the following information with your request:

• A covering letter with your name and address, describing the site location and the proposed works.
• Photographs showing the area affected by the proposed works and others showing the surrounding area.
• Site location map with the boundary of the application site outlined in red and the boundary of any other property controlled by the applicant outlined in blue. These can be purchased from the Town Planning Advice Centre or any other Ordnance Survey reseller.
• Plans or other drawings. We appreciate that for ‘householder’ type developments the cost of providing professional drawings could be prohibitive at this stage, however without any form of drawings the advice we can provide will be limited.

Please remember that the more information you can provide about your proposal, the more accurate and in depth our feedback will be. Please submit your pre-application advice request to:

• Pre-Application Advice Service
  Planning Division
  Phoenix House
  10 Wandsworth Road
  London SW8 2LL

or by email to: lambethplanning@lambeth.gov.uk

For general advice on planning regulations and submitting applications you can also contact the Town Planning Advice Centre by email, phone or in person.

Disclaimer

We will make every effort to ensure that the advice given in the pre-application process is as accurate as possible. However any advice given by council officers for pre-application enquiries does not constitute a formal response or decision of the council with regards to any future planning applications and, whilst it may be a material consideration, cannot be held to bind the council in its validation or formal determination of a subsequent application.

If an application is subsequently submitted which fails to take on board advice given by officers, then the council may refuse it without further discussion with the applicant or their agent.