You usually need planning permission if you are proposing
building or engineering works or changing the use of buildings or
land. You may also need consent if you want to display
advertisements or signs, alter listed buildings or demolish
buildings.
In addition to needing planning permission, most building work
(including alterations) also requires approval under the Building
Regulations.
Pre-application advice and general guidance
If you require a formal opinion on proposals before submitting
an application you should complete the appropriate request form,
available to download below:
Information on the procedure for obtaining pre-application
advice is provided in the Council's guidance note Information on
Pre-application Advice and for the drafting, negotiating and
monitoring of Legal Agreements (Adobe PDF format, 54kb).
The Council has introduced charges for
pre-application advice, specialist advice and for the drafting,
negotiating and monitoring of legal agreements. To find the
cost of your request, a fee schedule (Adobe PDF format,
40kb) is available to download. Please note that
there is a separate fee schedule for a request for
Code of Sustainable Homes Assessment (Adobe PDF format,
14kb).
The fee is payable in advance and can be paid by
cheque, credit
or debit card or BACS. Further information is
available from Planning Support Team by telephoning 01695
585081.
Local Planning Authorities were given
discretionary powers, within the Local Government Act 2003, to
charge for services such as pre-application advice. The
introduction of pre-application charging in West Lancashire brings
the Council into line with other Lancashire Authorities.
To process a request the Local Planning Authority require the
request form together with the fee and information detailed in the
form / checklist. Failure to submit all information required
will result in the Local Planning Authority not being able to deal
with your enquiry.
The application can be sent by email to
plan.apps@westlancs.gov.uk
or by post to West Lancashire Borough Council, Planning Division,
52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39 2DF.
To learn about the need for planning permission further
information and advice can be found on the Planning Portal website
using the interactive tool (external
link) and by accessing common projects (external
link).
To obtain confirmation from the Local Planning Authority as
to whether planning permission is required
for development proposals, including householder
development, you will need to submit an application for a
certificate of lawfulness for proposed
development.
It is in your own interest that you submit a formal application
to ascertain whether planning permission is required for your
proposal. The reasons for this are firstly, to avoid possible
enforcement action being taken should development be carried out
which requires planning permission and second, it provides the
necessary documentation required for both mortgage / loan providers
and to future prospective purchasers.
If you have any queries on completing the certificate of
lawfulness application form please contact Karen Macdonald in
the Planning Support section on 01695 585158 or email karen.macdonald@westlancs.gov.uk.
Application forms and guidance
How long will a planning application
take?
Applications for planning permission are dealt with as quickly as
possible. The Government and the Council both set targets for the
speed applications should be determined. For example, 80% of
householder applications should be decided within 8 weeks. As part
of the process, applications are publicised and consultations are
carried out.
- You can view our performance against these targets.
- You can view the status of an application, along with all the
associated plans and documents, using our
Search and View facility.
Who decides planning applications?
Decisions on minor and non-controversial applications are made
by the Acting Executive Manager Planning under delegated
powers. Larger and more controversial applications are decided by
the
Planning
Committee which meets once a month. These Committee meetings
are open to the public.
Appealing against a decision
Applicants have a right of appeal against refusal of planning
permission or conditions imposed on a consent to the Planning
Inspectorate. These
appeals are dealt with in writing or by public
hearing or inquiry.
Breaches in planning permission
The Planning Control Service is responsible for ensuring
compliance with planning legislation and will follow up complaints
about work being done or uses carried out without the benefit of
planning permission or which do not accord with approved plans. You
can
report a breach online or by writing in to us.
You can also view the registers of
enforcement notices served.
Contact us
If want further advice or assistance please contact us.