Fast Track application service

The Fast Track planning application service gives you a dedicated planning officer and committed timescales for eligible applications. 

Fast Track is an optional paid service that speeds up the administration and review of your application.

Fast track affects the speed of your application, not the outcome. We assess Fast Track applications in the same way and against the same planning policies as all other applications.

What you get with Fast Track

Fast Track offers:

• a confirmed decision date in your validation letter
• validation within 1 working day of receiving payment
• a dedicated planning officer
• contact from your planning officer within 5 working days of validation
• a dedicated Fast Track email inbox
• the same consultation and assessment process as standard applications

Compare Fast Track and standard services

Compare the timescales, contact arrangements and support available through our standard and Fast Track planning application services.

*Consultation usually ends within 28 days of validation

Check if you can apply

You can request Fast Track for:

• householder applications
• lawful development certificates (existing and proposed)
• listed building consent following pre-application advice
• advertisement consent applications
• non-material amendments (Section 96A)
• discharge of conditions applications

Read about how we assess Fast Track requests and determine eligibility.

Other application types

We may also accept:

• minor material amendments (Section 73)
• minor planning applications
• basement applications
• major applications, subject to a bespoke fee and timescale

Contact us to discuss eligibility.

Decision times

We validate applications within 1 working day of receiving payment.

Decision times depend on whether the application requires public consultation.

See which application types require consultation.

Read about how consultation affects decision dates.

Fees

The Fast Track fee is payable in addition to the statutory planning application fee.

All fees include VAT.

Fast Track fees increase annually on 1 April in line with national planning application fee increases.

We'll only take payment after we have accepted your Fast Track request. We'll send you a secure payment link.

*Read more about bespoke timescales for major applications and applications assessed on a bespoke basis.

Request a Fast Track service

To request a Fast Track:

1. Submit your application through the usual route, such as the Planning Portal
2. Request Fast Track by email by using our email template. The request must come from the person who submitted the application. This is usually the agent.
3. We'll assess your request and confirm within 1 working day whether it has been accepted. If we reject your request, we'll explain why.
4. If accepted, we'll send a secure payment link. You must pay within 2 working days.
5. We'll validate your application within 1 working day of receiving payment and confirm your decision date
6. Your dedicated Fast Track officer will contact you within 5 working days of validation
7. We'll determine your application within the published Fast Track timescale. Read about circumstances that can affect Fast Track decision dates.

To avoid delays

• submit a complete application
• pay the Fast Track fee promptly
• include the Fast Track email address into all email correspondence about your application
• respond promptly to any pre-commencement conditions we send you, we'll need your written agreement to these before we can issue the decision

Read about circumstances that can affect Fast Track decision dates.

More detailed information

The following information explains:

• how we assess requests
• consultation requirements
• circumstances that can affect decision dates
• what happens if an application goes to committee

How we assess requests

We assess every Fast Track request individually.

We consider:

• the size and complexity of the proposal
• consultation requirements
• the site's planning history
• whether we can meet the Fast Track timescales

We cannot accept all requests. If we reject your request, we'll explain why.

Applications requiring consultation

This includes:

• householder applications
• other planning applications, including minor material amendments under Section 73
• listed building consent applications
• advertisement consent applications
• discharge of conditions applications that requires consultation

We issue a decision within 2 working days of the consultation period ending. Consultation usually ends within 28 days of validation.

How consultation affects decision dates

Applications requiring consultation are advertised through site notices. If required, they may also appear in the local Gazette.

The Gazette is published each Friday. Applications validated between Monday and Thursday are usually advertised that Friday. Applications validated on a Friday are usually advertised the following Friday.

The consultation period lasts 21 days from publication and usually ends within 28 days of validation. We then issue a decision within 2 working days.

Applications not requiring consultation

This includes:

• lawful development certificates
• non-material amendments (Section 96A)
• discharge of conditions applications that does not require consultation

Bespoke timescales

We agree individual timescales for major applications and other applications accepted on a bespoke fee. 

Changes to decision timescales

The published timescales apply to applications that stay the same after submission.

We'll agree a new decision date if:

• you submit amended plans, new information or a revised description after validation and we need to consult again
• the Planning Applications Committee must decide the application
• a lawful development certificate requires external legal advice

 

If we intend to refuse your application, your officer will explain why before we issue the decision. You can then choose whether to withdraw you application.

 

If your application goes to committee

Most Fast Track applications are decided by officers under delegated authority.

An application recommended for approval must go to the Planning Applications Committe if:

• 3 or more valid planning objections are received or
• a councillor calls it in the application

If your application needs to go to committee:

• your officer's recommendation will still be provided within the Fast Track timescale

• the final decision date will be extended we'll tell you as soon as possible and agree a revised decision date with you

Contact us

When contacting us, include the site address or application reference in the subject line of every email.

Email: [email protected]