What information do we need?
To provide advice we will need to know about: Who, What, Where, When and How.
For example:
- Who - the name and contact details of the applicant and/or their agent
- What to include - the main details of the development, how the land or buildings will be used, the type of mineral or waste operations, and the quantities involved. Include the type of buildings and the steps you will take to prepare your planning application, such as background surveys (traffic, noise, ecology, and trees) and consultations with consultees and the local community.
- Where - show the site location with a location plan. Include a site layout plan to show access points and where the main activities will take place, or where buildings will be or have been erected.
- When - state when the development will start and how long it will last (permanent or temporary). If you are applying to regularise existing development, say when it began.
- How - explain how the development will be carried out during site preparation, construction, and operation. Include operating hours, traffic movements, and any potential emissions (such as noise, dust, water, or odours) and how you will manage them.
Where do I submit my request for advice, and how do I pay?
Please register and submit your request for advice on minerals, waste, or county developments through our Pre-application Advice Citizen Portal. Make sure you indicate which service you need. For all other types of development, contact your Borough or District Council.
You can pay for this service via bank transfer or via the telephone.
To pay by bank transfer, please email us at planning@staffordshire.gov.uk and we will provide you with the bank transfer details.
To pay via the telephone, please call us on 01785 895321. Please note that we can only take payment via the telephone Monday - Thursday from 9am until 4pm, or on Friday from 9am to 3pm.
If in doubt please contact us as we will not progress your request for advice until we have received the correct fee.
Initial pre-application advice service
We aim to send initial pre-application advice by email within 10 working days. This will be after we check that we have enough information and the correct fee.
Typically initial pre-application advice will explain:
- the type of planning application that would be required, the fee, the method of submission and ways to make the payment
- the relevant planning policy considerations
- the relevant regulations
- the broad range of information that may be required to accompany the application
Detailed pre-application advice service
Option A
The Planning Officer’s detailed written advice
We aim to provide detailed pre-application advice by email within 15 working days. This will be after we check that we have enough information and the correct fee.
We will complete a pre-application advice checklist. This will usually include, or be accompanied by, any information that is necessary or appropriate:
Constraints report
- Details of the relevant planning history for the site from our records and examples of similar cases elsewhere
- The key planning policy and other material considerations which will need to be taken into account in preparing a planning application
- The information that will be required from you to ensure that your planning application is valid
- Advice on the land which will need to be included within the application site boundary and how the planning application fee will be calculated
- An explanation of the process for determining the planning application including the timescale
- Advice on whether a legal agreement may be required and the matters that may need to be addressed
- Advice about the need to consider whether an Environmental Impact Assessment may be required
- Advice about engagement with the local community
- Advice about which of our specialists you should consider obtaining more detailed advice from (see our ‘Further detailed pre-application advice’ service below)
- Advice about which other statutory / non-statutory consultees you should contact to discuss your proposals
We will give our opinion, without prejudice, on whether the planning application for the proposed development is likely to be approved.
If, after receiving our advice, you want more detailed guidance, arrange a site visit or meeting, or submit extra information or revised plans, please see our detailed pre-application advice service below.
Option B
The Planning Officer will provide detailed written advice, along with input from our specialists if needed or requested by you.
We aim to send this advice by email within 25 working days, once we have confirmed we have enough information and the correct fee.
We will complete a pre-application advice checklist as described for Option A and consult specialists where appropriate or as requested. Their advice may cover the potential effects of your proposals on areas such as:
- roads and footpaths
- local amenity (noise and visual impact)
- the natural environment
- the historic environment
- drainage and flood risk
If, having received our advice you would like more detailed advice, to arrange a site visit or meeting, or, to submit additional information or revised proposals; then see our further detailed pre-application advice service explained below.
Further detailed pre-application advice service
After giving detailed pre-application advice (Option A or B), we can provide further advice, attend a site visit or meeting to discuss our advice, or review extra information or revised plans.
We aim to arrange a site visit or meeting with a Planning Officer and/or specialists (as requested in Option B) within 15 working days. We will then send notes and further advice within 10 working days of the visit or meeting.
If you send extra information or revised plans, we aim to arrange a meeting (if needed) or provide further written advice from a Planning Officer and/or specialists within 10 working days of receiving them.
We will confirm the cost for this bespoke service, which must be paid in advance.
Note - more time
If we require more time to provide your pre-application advice we will contact you to confirm when you will receive it.
Disclaimer
Any views or opinions from Staffordshire County Council officers are given in good faith and to the best of their ability. They are without prejudice to the formal consideration of any planning application or other submission that may follow.
Pre-application advice is not a formal response or decision of the council on any planning application or other submission.
We cannot guarantee that new issues will not arise during the formal consideration of an application or submission.
Any advice about the site’s planning history, constraints, or statutory designations does not constitute a formal response under the Land Charges Act 1975.