Pre-Application Advice

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council considers that the provision of pre-application and post-application advice is an important aspect of the planning process which can be of benefit to all parties involved.  This should improve the quality of applications being submitted for consideration by the Council, allow the Council to deal with applications within the statutory timescales, and provide customers with a greater degree of certainty about the chance of a positive recommendation being made.  Once determined, post-application advice can also help customers in the speedy delivery of their development through the consideration of any minor amendments put forward by the customer to the approved plans, help to avoid any unnecessary appeal where an application has been refused or the customer is concerned over a condition(s) imposed, and help to confirm that any conditions (including pre-conditions that the customer is required to resolve before the approved development is commenced) have been satisfactorily discharged. The details of the general protocol for pre-application advice are available for download below.


The Council also recognises the vital role that major developments can play in improving social well-being, increasing prosperity and providing homes. Such developments also have a potential to have significant impacts on the built and natural environments, and also to affect individuals and communities.  We support the Government's view of the importance of pre-application discussions particularly with regard to major development proposals and we strongly encourage you to enter into discussions with us before you submit your formal proposals.


 


The new Major Pre-Application Pack below forms the basis of a new pre-application protocol. This protocol aims to:

• Improve the efficiency in the way planning applications are determined
• Reduce the number of unsuccessful planning applications
• Improve the quality of developments in the Council; and
• Secure satisfaction with the process

What you can expect from our pre-application advice service

• input of local knowledge and an understanding of how our policies will be applied to your development
• specialist advice from internal consultees such as S106, highway, tree and environmental protection officers
• advice given in a timely and organised manner
• savings on time and possible avoidance of abortive costs.

What we would like from you:

• Full provision of all necessary information including any additional information requested; and
• That you are responsive to any advice given  

For this service the Council will charge in accordance with the fees outlined in the general protocol available below. These charges go some way towards covering the costs of officer time for providing this service. It is hoped the new procedures will lead to more efficient processing of applications. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Council.

 


The team has prepared a number of documents to assist where pre-application advice is desirable and how to obtain it. These documents can be downloaded below.

•   Pre-Application General Protocol

•   Guidance notes for Major developments (revised) (pdf 48Kb)

•   Relevant policies (pdf 20Kb)

•   External Contacts (pdf 10Kb)

•   Scale of Contributions (pdf 20Kb)

•   Frequently asked Questions (pdf 22KB)