Do I need to apply for planning permission?
You will need planning permission to carry out any development of land, including new buildings, major alterations to existing buildings and changing the use of buildings or land.
However, certain types of changes, such as some extensions and alterations you do not have to apply for planning permission. These are known as permitted development rights.
To find out more please visit Do I Need Planning Permission /Listed Building Consent.
Can I get advice before submitting a planning application?
Yes, the Council offers a pre-application service which provides an initial view on a development proposal before a planning application is submitted. Or you can consider contacting a local Planning agent.
To find out more please visit Pre-Application Advice.
How do I submit a planning application ?
To submit an application, please use the online Planning Portal. You will need to complete the relevant application form(s), upload the required documents/to scale plans, and pay the application fee.
There are guidance notes to assist you for each type of application on the Apply for Planning Permission /Listed Building Consent page.
How much does a planning application cost?
Fees are set nationally by the Government.
The Planning portal will calculate the correct application fee for you, and you can view the fees online. We are unable to process any applications until the fee is received.
What happens once I have submitted my planning application?
Please visit our the planning process page for an outline of the planning process.
How long does the planning process take?
We aim to determine most planning applications within the statutory time periods which is usually eight weeks (or 13 weeks for major developments and 16 weeks for development requiring an Environmental Impact Statement) from the date of validation.
If for some reason we are unable to determine a planning application within the statutory time period, it is our practice to contact the agent (or applicant if there is no agent) to agree a revised target date for the application.
What happens if my property is listed?
If a building is listed it has been judged to be of special architectural or historic interest.
Listed buildings are protected and are included on the National Heritage List for England, which is managed by Historic England.
A listed building due to its protected status means extra responsibilities are imposed on owners, including the need to obtain listed building consent for certain works. To find out more please visit our Listed Buildings page.
Can I view a current planning application?
You can search for and view planning applications on Public Access.
On Public Access select new search – Planning – Simple search – Enter keyword, reference number, postcode or single line of an address - Search
For further information visit Search, Comment or Track an Application page.
Why have I not received a letter about a proposed development?
The Planning Officer will normally only send letters to addresses that have an adjoining boundary with the application site, or directly opposite where appropriate.
Some applications are also advertised by site notices and in the local press.
Who can comment on a planning application?
Anyone can comment on a planning , regardless of whether or not they have received a letter from the Council.
All comments received are carefully considered and will be taken into account when a decision is made.
To find out more please visit our Search, Comment or Track an Application page.
How do I make a comment on a planning application?
You can comment online by using Public Access.
All comments received are carefully considered and will be taken into account when a decision is made. Any comments must contain 'material planning considerations' if they are to be taken into account when making a decision.
To find out more please visit our Search, Comment or Track an Application page.
When will my comment show on Huntingdonshire District Council website?
Comments are checked and uploaded to Public Access within 21 days.
Officers will aim to make comments publicly available, but this can take longer where we receive a large amount of comments.
Comments are summarised and addressed in the officer report, which provides justification for the decision on the application.
Can I make a comment past the quoted timescales?
Comments can be accepted up to the point of decision being made by officer but should be submitted within the stated public consultation period.
This is because a decision may be made at any time once the public consultation period is completed. If Public Access shows a decision has been made, then it is too late to comment.
How do I research the planning history of a property?
Huntingdonshire District Council do not provide a planning history service.
Instead to find out more please visit our Search, Comment or Track an Application page and scroll down the page to the ‘How do I research the planning history of a property?’
How do I check if my property has any protected trees?
Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) are made to protect trees and woodlands, to avoid landscape trees from being cut down or harmfully pruned without our permission.
Anyone intending to carry out work to a tree that is protected by a TPO must apply for, and receive, consent before carrying out the work.
To find out whether your property has a TPO on it or close to it please visit Tree Preservation page.
How do I check if my property falls within a conservation area?
Visit our Conservation Areas page.
To find out more about applying to carry out works to a tree in a conservation area, please visit our Tree Preservation page and scroll down the page to the ‘Trees in a conservation area’ section.
My property is within a conservation area and/or have a tree with a TPO, how do I obtain permission for tree works?
Unauthorised work to a tree protected by a TPO or a tree in a conservation area is a criminal offence.
You will need to submit a Tree Works Application form, and there is no fee for this type of application.
Visit our Tree Preservation page and scroll down the page to the 'Submit a Tree Works Application'
What will happen if my neighbour completes tree works without permission?
If you prune a tree without consent you may be prosecuted and fined up to £2,500.
If you destroy a tree without consent, you may be fined up to £20,000.
To report any tree incidents, please visit our Breaches of Planning Control & Enforcement page and scroll down the page to “Report a Breach of Planning Control form”
Why can’t I get through to my Planning Officer?
Our Planning Service team are regularly experiencing a high level of contact.
Please call Customer Services on 01480 388424 who provide a Planning reception service to guide you through your queries and refer you to relevant sections of our website.
I have emailed my Planning Officer, but I have not received a reply?
Please call Customer Services on 01480 388424 to access their Planning reception service.
An advisor will try to transfer your call or arrange for a call back request where timescale is 5 working days.
I am a planning agent, how can I contact your planning officers?
Where your query relates to a planning matter, in the first instance we encourage you to check information on our Public Access system.
For all other unavoidable officer contact we suggest you email developmentcontrol@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
What is a Lawful Development Certificate?
After looking at the 'Do I Need Planning Permission /Listed Building Consent' page, it's in your best interest to ask us to confirm if planning permission is needed or not before work is undertaken.
If permission isn't required, we can provide written confirmation, known as a lawful development certificate.
This is your evidence that permission wasn't required if a query is ever raised.
To submit an application for a lawful development certificate visit the online Planning Portal.