Permission in principle
The permission in principle consent route is an alternative way of obtaining planning permission for housing-led development. This route separates the consideration of matters of principle for proposed development from the technical detail of the development.
Permission in principle stages
The permission in principle has two stages:
- First stage (permission in principle application) - establishes whether a site is suitable in principle for housing-led development
- Second stage (technical details consent) - assesses the detailed development proposals, such as access, drainage, design etc
How do I apply?
To apply you will need to complete the permission in principle application form on the Planning Portal.
What do I need to include?
You will need to include the following with your stage 1 application:
- completed application form
- plan which identifies the land to which the application relates. This must be drawn to an identified scale showing the direction of north
- the correct application fee
- additional requirements may apply where compulsory pre-application consultation is required by virtue of section 61W(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
If your permission in principle application is approved, the decision notice will advise you what information needs to be submitted for the stage 2 application.
How much does it cost?
For the correct application fee, see the guide to fees for planning applications. Please note for the technical details consent stage (stage 2) the fee applicable is the same as applications for full planning permission.
What happens next?
Once we have received a valid permission in principle application, we will send out an acknowledgement of the application to the applicant and post site and online notices advising of the dates of the 14 days consultation period. A decision should be made within five weeks.
Decision-making process
Following a valid application, a decision on whether to grant permission in principle to a site must be made in accordance with relevant policies in the development plan, unless there are material considerations, such as those in the National Planning Policy Framework and national guidance which indicate otherwise.
The scope of matters which can be considered with permission in principle is limited to:
- location of the site
- the type of land use proposed
- the amount of development.
Issues relevant to these 'in principle' matters should be considered at stage 1 (the permission in principle stage).
All other matters should be considered at stage 2 (the technical details consent stage).
| Application number | Address | Description | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22/00697/PIP |
Land North Of Bailrigg Lane Lancaster |
Permission in principle application for the erection of up to 5 dwellings | Pending |
| 22/00024/PIP |
Land At Grid Reference 346637 / 452376, Willey Lane, Cockerham, Lancashire |
Permission in principle application for the erection of one dwelling | Pending |
| 19/01206/PIP | Land off Nether Kellet Road, Over Kellet | Permission in principle application for the erection of up to 9 dwellings | Refused |
| 21/00805/PIP (PDF, 702KB) |
Field At Grid Reference 352822 454619, Procter Moss Road, Abbeystead, Lancashire |
Permission in principle application for the erection of up to 2 dwellings | Refused |
| 21/00933/PIP (RTF, 2MB) |
Land Adjacent To Tatham Fells Church of England Primary School, Lowgill Lane, Lowgill, Lancaster |
Permission in principle application for the erection of one dwelling | Refused |
Last updated: 03 October 2022