Do I need planning permission?

The Duty service is intended for general planning advice and can provide information about whether you require planning permission or listed building consent. It can also be used for establishing the type of application required for proposed development. 

More detailed advice can be provided through the Council’s Pre-application Service. 

There is a Planning History Search service which can provide details of the history of planning applications on specific sites. The Duty service cannot provide this service.

There is a non-refundable £45 charge for this service.

Meetings will be strictly limited to a maximum of 15 minutes in length.

The Duty Planner service operates on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Heritage Duty Planner (for queries about listed buildings and heritage specific enquiries) operates on Thursdays.

The Duty Planning Officer cannot give you a decision about planning permission, or provide details of their advice in writing from an appointment booked using the form below.

Book an appointment

For confirmation in writing about whether or not you need planning permission, you should apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. For more information, please see Do I Need Planning Permission.

If you need written advice about whether the Council would be likely to support a proposal, you should use our Pre Application Advice Service.

If you require a Planning History Search or copies of documents, including the Decision Notice, from a particular planning application, please use the Planning History Search.

Is there a fee for the duty planner service?

Yes - You can view fees for this and other planning services on our fees page.

What can the duty planner help with?

Informal advice:

• General information and advice on national and local planning policy and planning processes;
• Informal advice on the need to apply for planning permission;
• Technical advice to make sure you know which application type to submit and the required documents;

Please note that the verbal advice given by the duty planner is given on an informal basis and is intended to assist with general, basic planning enquiries.

The advice given by a duty planner should not be seen as representing the Council's formal position and is not a substitute for using our pre-application service.

What can't the duty planner help with?

• Pre-application advice;
• Provide a planning application validation checking service;
• We cannot give written advice;
• Advise whether a plan may receive officer support;
• Say that planning permission would or would not be granted;
• Discuss the detail of large or complex plans;
• Discuss the technical advantages of existing applications, refusals or appeals;
• Agree to any minor amendments to planning permissions;
• Discharge any planning conditions on a decision notice;
• Building Control queries - please visit Devon Building Control Partnership;

The officer on duty is managed by a rota. If you need further appointments, you may not be able to speak to the same planning officer.