Licensing: pre-application advice
Licence Pre-Application Advice Service
We offer a pre-application advice service to support your licensing application made under the Licensing Act 2003. The aim is to help you to mitigate any problems which may arise during the application process.
However, any advice we give cannot predict or influence the final decision on a licensing application. If objections are submitted and a hearing is held, the decision will be made by the Licensing Sub‑Committee.
Please note that this is for Licensing Application advice only. If you require advice regarding planning applications please contact the Planning department.
Benefits of pre-application advice
- advice and assistance with completing application forms;
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advice on suitable licence conditions will take account of the type and style of the proposed operation and the location of the premises. This advice will be developed in consultation with Environmental Health Officers
- advice on drawing up plans to accompany the application in accordance with the relevant regulations
- advice on nominating an appropriate designated premises supervisor
- assistance with completing the statutory notices and advertisements
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carrying out site visits to check that plans meet regulatory requirements and that any required statutory notices are correctly displayed
- matters you may need to consider to assess possible noise transmission to neighbouring properties, dependent on the type of operation proposed for the premises
Pre-application advice fees
- Pre-applications advice fees from 1 April 2025
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Fees are subject to VAT, currently 20%
Level of advice Fees (excluding VAT)
(£)Fees (including VAT)
(£)Small - up to one hour of advice regarding small licence applications, the effect of which would have a minimal environmental impact on neighbouring properties. We would deal with the licensing process, guidance on plans, possible conditions, etc. 143 171.60 Medium - Up to 2 hours of advice for medium‑sized applications. This may include a site visit by an Environmental Health Officer and/or a Licensing Officer where needed, a meeting, and written reports. 319 382.80 Large - Up to 4 hours of advice for large applications. This includes one or more site visits by an Environmental Health Officer where needed, meetings with Environmental Health and Licensing officers, and written reports. 455 546 Extra large events – 5000 people or more Category A covers up to 7 hours of advice for extra‑large public events. The cost includes specialist officers carrying out inspections, giving advice and providing written reports. It also covers a supervising officer reviewing and overseeing any reports produced as part of this service. 625 750 Extra large events – 5000 people or more Category B covers up to 14 hours of advice for extra‑large public events. The cost includes specialist officers carrying out inspections, giving advice, and providing written reports. It also covers a supervising officer reviewing and overseeing the reports as part of this service. 1,090 1,308 Extra large events – 5000 people or more Category C - up to 21 hours of advice for extra‑large public events. The cost includes specialist officers carrying out inspections, giving advice and providing written reports. It also includes oversight by a supervising officer, who reviews and monitors the reports produced as part of this service. 1,555 1,860
Fee exemptions
This may apply to organisations or individuals who are exempt from paying statutory licence application fees. This can include educational institutions, buildings used for religious purposes, village and community halls, and non‑profit charities.
Disclaimer
Any advice will be provided by the Council’s Noise and Nuisance Team and Licensing Team. These teams act as Responsible Authorities under the Licensing Act 2003.
With regard to any pre-application advice, the written confirmation will state that pre-application advice will not give applicants any exemptions from the licensing process. Responsible Authorities, such as the Noise and Nuisance and Licensing teams, can still raise objections to an application. If this happens, the application may need to be considered by the Licensing Sub‑Committee, which will make the final decision.
The advice given will not include views from other responsible authorities such as the Police, Fire Authority, etc. If an application receives objections or comments, it will be decided by the Licensing Sub‑Committee. The Sub‑Committee will consider the application and all representations on a case‑by‑case basis. It will decide whether to grant the application based on whether it promotes the licensing objectives.
How to make a request for pre-application advice
Email the completed form to: [email protected].
If you have any problems accessing or completing the form, telephone 020 7341 5152.
Once we receive your request, we will contact you to take payment over the telephone using a debit or credit card. Once payment has been received an officer will contact you within five working days.