Pre-application advice
In this section
Pre-application advice
Our free online householder duty planning service provides informal advice to householders for simple or small-scale proposals. Find out more and submit an online enquiry: Householder duty planning service.
For other planning advice, please use our paid pre-application service: Apply for pre-application advice.
Apply for pre-application advice
You can seek pre-application advice from our planning team before submitting a formal planning application. We can provide policy-based advice and tell you whether your application is likely to be viewed favourably by officers. We can also advise on how to make your proposal more acceptable.
Apply for pre-application advice (PDF)Send your completed form to enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk. You will need to pay the relevant fee with your application by calling customer services on 01923 776611.
After receiving your request, we will contact you to arrange a site visit within 10 working days of receipt of the application. In some cases, a site visit will be followed by a meeting. A written advice note will be issued for each pre-application enquiry.
We aim to provide a written response within 25 working days of receipt of a valid submission. If a meeting is arranged we aim to issue the written response within 15 working days of the meeting unless otherwise agreed.
If necessary, our planning team may seek input from specialists, such as tree and landscape, urban design and conservation officers. Additional charges may apply if specialist input is required.
During the planning application process, we encourage you to consider the compliance of your design with building regulations. We may be able to arrange a meeting with a surveyor from Hertfordshire Building Control who can review your proposal and advise on compliance issues. Building control is separate to planning and requires a separate application and approval.
Please note that the pre-application service cannot confirm whether proposed developments or amendments to existing planning permission will require planning permission. Such determinations can only be made following a formal planning application.
Follow-up advice
We provide formal follow-up advice where amendments have been made to a proposal in response to the planning officer’s comments. It is at the discretion of the planning team as to whether to accept proposals based on follow-up advice. If a follow-up proposal is materially different or does not respond to officer comments, a full pre-application fee may be required.
We aim to provide a written response to follow-up enquiries within 15 working days of receipt of a valid submission. If a meeting is arranged we aim to issue the written response within 15 working days of the meeting unless otherwise agreed.
To apply for follow-up advice, please complete the pre-application advice request form at the link above, ticking the 'follow up' box. Send your completed form to enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk.
Information for developers
A Solid Waste Storage/Collection Guidance (PDF, 1.1 MB) document has been produced to be used by developers and landowners when planning and designing waste management and storage facilities for new and refurbished developments. This includes information on bin store size, design and location.
Freedom of Information
Pre-application submissions and our written response to them are not normally published on our website or made available for public viewing. However, under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) we may receive requests for information relating to pre-application requests and any advice given.
We are obliged to provide this information, however this does not include personal details, confidential or commercially sensitive information. If you feel your submission contains confidential or commercially sensitive information you must bring this to our attention at the start of the correspondence.
Pre-application fees
You will need to pay the relevant pre-application fee with your application by calling customer services on 01923 776611.
Pre-application fees from 13 January 2025:
| Three Rivers District Council Planning Pre-Application Charges | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note: Payments should be made inclusive of VAT |
From 13.01.2025
| ||||||
| Charge for advice [including site visit and written note] | Meeting Fee [meetings at officer's discretion] | Follow-up Enquiry | |||||
|
Excl VAT
| Incl VAT | Excl VAT | Incl VAT | Excl VAT | Incl VAT | ||
| 1 |
Householder Development
| ||||||
|
£92.50
| £111.00 | £149.17 | £179.00 | £51.67 | £62.00 | ||
| 2 | Residential-Led Development | ||||||
| Single dwellings incl replacement |
£386.67
| £464.00 | £149.17 | £179.00 | £75.00 | £90.00 | |
| 2-5 dwellings |
£634.17
| £761.00 | £230.83 | £277.00 | £115.83 | £139.00 | |
| 6-9 dwellings |
£947.50
| £1137.00 | £338.33 | £406.00 | £169.17 | £203.00 | |
| 10-24 dwellings |
£1895.00
| £2274.00 | £676.67 | £812.00 | £338.33 | £406.00 | |
| 25-49 dwellings |
£3789.17
| £4547.00 | £1353.33 | £1624.00 | £676.67 | £812.00 | |
| 50-99 dwellings |
£6150.00
| £7380.00 | £1353.33 | £1624.00 | £676.67 | £812.00 | |
| 100-199 dwellings |
£9225.00
| £11,070.00 | £1353.33 | £1624.00 | £676.67 | £812.00 | |
| 200-499 dwellings |
£12,300.00
| £14,760.00 | £1353.33 | £1624.00 | £676.67 | £812.00 | |
| 500+ dwellings |
Bespoke on a case by case basis
| ||||||
| 3 | Non-residential development (including plant and machinery) | ||||||
| 0-100sqm GFA |
£386.67
| £464.00 | £149.17 | £179.00 | £75.00 | £90.00 | |
| 101-500sqm GFA |
£634.17
| £761.00 | £230.83 | £277.00 | £115.83 | £139.00 | |
| 501-1000sqm GFA |
£947.50
| £1137.00 | £338.33 | £406.00 | £169.17 | £203.00 | |
| 1001-5000sqm GFA |
£1895.00
| £2274.00 | £676.67 | £812.00 | £338.33 | £406.00 | |
| 5000-10,000sqm GFA |
£3789.17
| £4547.00 | £1353.33 | £1624.00 | £676.67 | £812.00 | |
| 10,000+ sqm GFA |
Bespoke on a case by case basis
| ||||||
| 4 | Changes of Use of Buildings and Land | ||||||
| No change in floorspace |
£256.67
| £308.00 | £135.83 | £163.00 | £68.33 | £82.00 | |
| 5 | Agriculture and Forestry Buildings | ||||||
| 0-465sqm |
£87.50
| £105.00 | £108.33 | £130.00 | £54.17 | £65.00 | |
| 466-540sqm |
£256.67
| £308.00 | £135.83 | £163.00 | £68.33 | £82.00 | |
| 541+ sqm |
£666.67
| £800.00 | £230.83 | £277.00 | £115.83 | £139.00 | |
| 6 | Buildings and structures for equestrian purposes (incl stables, menage, riding schools) | ||||||
| 0-40sqm |
£87.50
| £105.00 | £108.33 | £130.00 | £54.17 | £65.00 | |
| 41+ sqm |
£208.33
| £250.00 | £135.83 | £163.00 | £68.33 | £82.00 | |
| 7 | Erection of gates, walls, fences, car parks, roads, points of access | ||||||
| Gates, walls, fences and other enclosures, car parks, roads and means of access |
£95.00
| £114.00 | £135.83 | £163.00 | £68.33 | £82.00 | |
| 8 | Advertisements | ||||||
| All advertisements |
£95.00
| £114.00 | £135.83 | £163.00 | £68.33 | £82.00 | |
| 9 | Telecommunications | ||||||
| All telecommunications |
£208.33
| £250.00 | £108.33 | £130.00 | £54.17 | £65.00 | |
- Outline proposals – To be charged at the same rate as if the proposal were for full planning permission.
- In the case of major development proposals, an additional fee may be payable for specialist advice (ie Heritage or Landscape). This would be considered on a case by case basis.
- If the proposal is for a mixed use development the fee will be calculated for each element of the proposal and the highest amount will be charged.
- Requests must be made using the standard pre-application form which is available online.
- If a request is received to determine whether development is permitted development it will not be dealt with informally but the applicant will be advised to apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development/Use.
- Where there are pre application requests for alternative schemes each proposed scheme will be charged separately.
- Site visits will be undertaken and will be unaccompanied.
- Meetings are offered for householder applications at the Case Officer’s discretion.
- For meetings, the relevant fee must be paid in advance and meetings will be a maximum of 1 hour. Whilst the applicant can request a meeting it is the Council’s decision whether a meeting is necessary. The initial fee paid will be solely for written advice and a site visit, with a further fee requested if a meeting is agreed.
- The Council will endeavour to carry out consultation where relevant. However, the applicant may wish to approach statutory consultees directly. Many consultees operate their own pre-application service, including the Environment Agency, Hertfordshire County Council Highways, and Hertfordshire County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority and will only respond through their own service.
- The Duty Planning Service will remain as a free service to provide general planning advice for householders. The duty planning service is provided online. You can use this service for simple or small-scale proposals, such as home improvements, permitted development enquiries and householder planning applications e.g. building an extension to an existing residential property or constructing an outbuilding.
- A follow up pre-application enquiry can be made to seek advice regarding whether officer comments have been addressed. Please note that it is at the discretion of officers to determine whether to accept proposals as ‘follow up’ enquiries or to require a full pre-application fee if the proposal is materially different or does not respond to officer comments. A short summary note will be provided for ‘follow up’ proposals. Additional meetings will be charged at the above rates.
Householder duty planning service
The householder duty planning service is available to provide general planning advice to householders. The duty planning service is provided online. You can use this service for simple or small-scale proposals, such as home improvements, permitted development enquiries and householder planning applications e.g. building an extension to an existing residential property or constructing an outbuilding.
Contact us
All enquiries should be submitted through the free online advice form. If necessary, a duty planning officer will provide a response via email regarding your online duty planning form. Any advice given is the informal opinion of the duty planning officer and will be provided within 10 working days.
For more complex planning queries, or advice on non-householder projects, please seek pre-application advice.
Any other questions
If you cannot use the online form, you can call us on 01923 776611 and speak with a Customer Service Representative who will be able to guide you through the online form. If and when required, a duty planning officer will call you back within 10 working days, however the primary form of communication is via email.
Three Rivers District Council are working with the National Energy Foundation to pilot a Retrofit One Stop Shop service that will offer residents free, independent, tailored advice and support to help you plan your retrofit, identify finance options, and find trusted contractors to deliver high quality energy efficiency improvements to your home. Find out more.
Other external pre-application advice services
In addition to the pre-application service offered by the Council, further advice can be sought from the County Council and other important planning consultees. Their services are set out below.
Sustainable drainage systems: For advice on drainage strategy’s for major applications
Surface water drainage | Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire Highway Authority: For advice on highway matters
Highways Development Management | Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire Historic Environment Advisory Service: For archaeological advice
Hertfordshire Historic Environment Advisory Service | Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire Ecology Advisory Service: For ecology advice
Hertfordshire Ecology Advisory Service | Hertfordshire County Council
Environment Agency or Natural England
Environmental advice on your planning proposals
Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust: For biodiversity advice
Planning | Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (hertswildlifetrust.org.uk)
National Highways
Planning and the strategic road network in England
Sport England
Planning for sport
Thames Water
Planning your development - water and waste water capacity
Do I need planning permission?
Most building work, engineering operations and change of use requires planning permission.
You can carry out some types of work on your home without applying for planning permission under permitted development rights. Typical permitted developments include extensions, loft conversions and garage conversions. However, other restrictions can apply, such as Article 4 Directions or planning conditions. It is important to check before undertaking any building work.
For more information on permitted development rights for householders, see the Planning Portal. You may find the interactive house particularly useful. For householder technical guidance visit the GOV.UK website.
If you think your proposed building works fall under permitted development rights, we recommend applying for a Lawful Development Certificate. This is not the same as planning permission but acts as proof that your building work is lawful.
Different requirements apply if your property is a listed building or in a conservation area.
For information advice on planning permission, contact the householder duty planning service.
Building regulations approval
You need building regulations approval to construct or change buildings in certain ways. Approval is also required for certain alteration projects, including replacing fuse boxes and adding extra radiators to a heating system.
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission, and you may need both. You should check any proposed construction with building control before beginning works.
Planning permission for energy efficiency improvements
Information and guidance on planning permission for energy efficiency improvements including solar panels.
For tips on making your home more economical and environmentally friendly, see our Guide to Greening Your Home.
As to whether you require planning permission for the energy efficient improvements please see the interactive house(s) on the Planning Portal website.
Related news
Sign up to receive email updates
Please enter your contact information below.
Three Rivers District Council
Three Rivers House
Northway
Rickmansworth
Herts WD3 1RL
To access services provided by central government departments and agencies, visit the GOV.UK website.
| Headless Content Management with Blaze