Planning and property advice including pre-applications
The planning service has several advice streams to help you. It includes our pre-application advice service launched in 2025 and advice offered on listed buildings, tree works and property changes.
Advice and services
- Pre-planning application advice (aka pre-apps): We can provide detailed comments and advice on your proposed development, identifying any issues early so they can be addressed before a formal planning application is made. Four types of pre-application advice are available depending on your proposal's scale.
- Post pre-application advice (for larger developments): Only available for those who want to discuss further the results of Type 3 and 4 pre-application advice.
- Development concept discussions or advice: Available for those with some fluidity in what they want to develop and wish to seek advice before creating formal plans or drawings.
- Listed building advice: This advice is available for proposed alterations or extensions to listed buildings.
- Tree works advice: This service is offered to those wishing to work on trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders in a designated conservation area.
- Street naming and numbering
- Changing your property name or checking your address details
Pre-planning application advice (pre-apps)
If you are considering making a planning application, we encourage you to get pre-application advice from us. It could improve your chances of having your application approved.
The purpose of the pre-application advice is to:
- identify any concerns or problems that need to be addressed at an early stage
- identify key or site-specific issues at an early stage
- avoid delay during the formal application process
- to improve the quality of the formal submission
- ensure an appropriate level of information supports applications
- indicate the likelihood of a successful application
Types of proposals
The pre-application service is available for the following types of proposals.
| Type 1 | Extensions or change of use and alterations to buildings |
|---|---|
| Type 2 | Individual new homes |
| Type 3 | New commercial developments on sites up to 0.1 ha or 2 to 9 new dwellings |
| Type 4 | New commercial developments on sites greater than 0.1 ha or more than 9 dwellings |
Fees and timeframes
| Type | Detail | Fee | Timeframe (working days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extensions of change of use and alterations to buildings | £100 per application | 20 |
| 2 | Individual new homes | £200 per application | 20 |
| 3 | New commercial developments on sites up to 0.1 ha | £150 per application | 40 |
| 4 | 2 to 9 new dwellings | £150 per dwelling | 40 |
| 4 | New commercial developments on sites more than 0.1 ha | £150 per 0.1 ha | 40 |
| 4 | More than 9 dwellings but less than 50 | £150 per dwelling | 40 |
| 4 | More than 50 dwellings | £150 per dwelling up to 50 dwellings, then £50 per dwelling after that | 40 |
Note about discretionary fees
- applications submitted by North Norfolk town and parish councils will be given a 50% fee reduction
- pre-application advice related solely to disability adaptations is given free of charge
- affordable exception housing schemes submitted by registered social landlords would be free of charge for Type 2 and 3 applications and have a 50% fee reduction for Type 4 proposals
What will I get?
All four types will provide the applicant with a written report which will set out:
- A summary of any history of the site or location that is considered relevant to the proposal.
- An assessment of the proposal and the likelihood of the proposal gaining approval.
- A list of information that would need to be submitted to enable any subsequent formal application to be validated or accepted.
- A list of organisations the Council anticipates consulting upon on receiving any formal application.
- Suggestions around community engagement the applicant should consider before submitting any formal application.
How to apply
You can apply by using our online form. You will be required to submit the appropriate plans and details and pay a fee.
Post pre-application advice
If you submitted a request for a Type 3 or Type 4 and wish to discuss the report or talk to the case officer about any other options or changes for the proposal, you can request a post pre-application advice meeting.
Application criteria
Requests need to be made within 25 working days of the pre-application advice being issued. You will need the planning pre-application number to complete the form.
The meeting will take place within 15 working days of the request being accepted, including the fee being paid. Within 5 days of the meeting, we will supply bullet point notes summarising the discussion.
Fees
| Post advice meeting | Types 3 and 4 pre-application only. A one-hour meeting on Teams or face-to-face, as requested by the applicant, must be requested within 25 days of the issue of the advice. | £150.00 for up to 1 hour |
Concept meeting and advice
These meetings can be arranged and held at the Cromer Council office or via Teams online. Once your application has been accepted and the fee has been paid, a planning officer will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient date and time.
The officer will provide meeting notes outlining what has been discussed. They will send these within 5 days of the meeting being held. You can take notes during a meeting, but using recording equipment is not permitted.
| Concept meeting | Extensions or change of use and alterations to buildings or building one individual new home. | £50 for up to 30 minutes |
| Building more than one dwelling or commercial development. | £150 for up to 1 hour |
Listed building advice
Only complete this form if you want a written response about proposed alterations or extensions to a listed building. There is no charge for this service. However, where the works would also require planning permission, a planning pre-application request should be submitted instead.
Listed building advice is usually responded to within 30 working days.
Complete, scan and email to planning@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Or post to:
Planning Department
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
NR27 9EN
Tree works advice
If you wish to work on trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders in a designated conservation area and require advice. You can apply below or visit our trees and hedges section for further information.
Tree advice work is usually responded to within 30 working days.
Complete, scan and email to planning@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Or post to:
Planning Department
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
NR27 9EN
Street naming and numbering advice
Visit the apply for new property address page for street naming and numbering advice.
If you require further advice on street naming or numbering, use our online Contact Us form to get in touch or call Customer Services on 01263 513811.
Street signs and nameplates
This service does not deal with street signs or nameplates. Visit report a missing or damaged street sign for further information.
Advice on changing or adding house or business names
It is essential to let us know if you want to change or add a name to your property so that national databases can be updated through the Local Land and Property Gazetteer. You can find further advice on changing a residential property or business.
View property details to check if your postal address is correct.
Still need help?
Visit our contact us page for further assistance about our popular services and information.