You must apply for planning permission using one of the official forms. You can get an application form from your local Planning Office or the Planning Service site . You will be charged a fee.

• Applying for planning permission
• Will I have to pay?
• What happens after I submit my application?
• I'm not happy with the standard of service

Applying for planning permission

You can ask you local planning office for a determination if you are unsure whether or not you need planning permission. The planning office will charge a fee, although this will be deducted from the planning application fee if you do need planning permission.

Outline application

You can submit an outline application if you want to know whether planning permission would be granted but you don't want to submit detailed plans.

However, most development work is accepted at outline stage. The detailed plans you submit with a full application are more significant when making planning decisions.

Full application

You must give the Planning Office seven copies of:

• the application form
• a site location map
• your detailed drawings or plans of the work you intend to carry out

A planning officer can give you advice on what drawings you need to submit.

Back to top

Will I have to pay?

The planning office charges a fee for each application. the amount you are charged depends on:

• the type of application
• the type of work you are going to carry out

Your local planning office can give you more information on how much you will be asked to pay.

Back to top

What happens after I submit my application?

The Planning Office will:

• notify your neighbours
• arrange to inspect the site
• consult your local council
• consult the Roads Service and Water Service

Your neighbours can tell the Planning Service how they feel about your proposed work. However, it is up to the Planning Office to decide how important or significant these views are.

Can I appeal the decision?

You have six months to appeal a planning decision. You can get an appeal form from:

The Planning Appeals Commission
Park House
87 -91 Great Victoria Street
Belfast BT2 7AG

Back to top

I'm not happy with the standard of service

There is a complaints procedure if you are unhappy with the standard of service you have received from a Planning Office.

First stage complaint

Write to the Divisional Planning Manager at the relevant Divisional Planning Office. You should get a reply within 15 working days of the Planning Office receiving your complaint.

Second stage complaint

If you still aren't happy you should write to the Director of Town and Country Planning Service:

Town & Country Planning Service HQ, DOE (NI)

Clarence Court

10/18 Adelaide Street

Belfast BT2 8GB

Complaining to the Ombudsman

If you are still unhappy you may be able to complain to the Ombudsman.