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Planning for developers

Planning for larger and more complex projects

Understand what to check before bringing forward a larger or more complex development, from planning policy and application types to submitting your application and managing the decision process.

This guidance is for people planning larger or more complex development, including:

  • converting a house into flats or an HMO
  • building a new home
  • small residential developments (up to nine homes)
  • large residential developments (10 homes or more)
  • mixed use developments or commercial developments

These pages are designed to help you understand not just what is required, but why - so you can make informed decisions, manage risk, and avoid unnecessary delay.

If you’re planning improvements to your home or a small home extension, see Planning for homeowners.

  1. Is your development acceptable in principle?

    Check whether the type and scale of development you want to build is likely to be acceptable on your site.

    Find out if your development is acceptable in principle

  2. Types of planning applications

    Understand the different application types and which one suits your development.

    Discover the types of planning applications you might need

  3. Special Considerations

    Check the local planning policies, site constraints and special considerations that can affect larger development proposals, including flats, HMOs, new homes and multi-unit schemes.

    Factors you need to consider when making your application

  4. Preparing your application

    Find out what plans, documents, and fees you’ll need - and how to get pre-application advice from the council.

    How to prepare your application

  5. Submit and track your application

    Submit your application, see what happens next, and learn how to track the outcome

    Submitting and tracking your application

  6. What happens after a decision is made?

    Understand what happens after a planning decision for larger developments, including conditions, CIL and section 106 agreements.

    Find out what happens next

  7. Appealing a decision

    If you disagree with a decision, find out how to appeal a refused planning application.

    How you appeal a decision
Last updated 01/09/26