Welcome to our Planning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. These FAQs address some of the most common questions we receive, that will help you if you're considering an extension to your home, a new development project, or simply want to learn more about planning policies and procedures.

Submitting a Planning Application

• Do I need planning permission for my development proposal

  If you wish to seek pre application advice prior to submitting a formal planning application, we recommend using the advice and guidance tools provided within the following link - Pre-application advice
  The Planning Portal Interactive House also provides advice and guidance for householder projects - Interactive House - Planning Portal.

• What is a Certificate of Lawfulness?

  There are two types of Certificates of Lawfulness

  • Certificate of lawfulness for a proposed use or development

  Certain alterations to your property may fall under permitted development, not requiring planning permission from the Local Planning Authority. Guidance on these types of projects can be found on the planning portal interactive house Explore the Interactive House.
  Through this application type, you are seeking formal confirmation whether planning permission is not required for a use or development and works can be undertaken lawfully. A Certificate of Lawfulness Proposed is a formal and legal document, which is beneficial if you sell your property.

  • Certificate of lawfulness for an existing use or development

  This can be applied when works have already been undertaken. You might apply for this type of certificate if:

  • if you have extended your property without planning permission but would like formal confirmation that planning permission was not required as it was within the tolerances of permitted development.
  • if you extended your property and would like confirmation that it is now exempt from enforcement action.
  • if a change of use has ocucurred.

  Further guidance on the process of submitting and determining Lawful Development Certificates can be found on GOV.UK.

• How do I submit a planning application

  We encourage you to submit your application online via the Planning Portal if you have appointed an architect or tree surgeon they will normally submit the application on your behalf.

  We also accept submissions via post or email, paper version application forms can be downloaded via the following link - Planning Portal.

• What do I need to submit as part of my planning application?

  Information on what you need to submit is available – pdf Applying for Planning Permission? Get it right first time (5.13 MB)

  pdf Plans and drawings to be submitted with a Planning Application (734 KB)

  Alternatively contact the Councils Planning Support Team on 01386 565565 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• How much do planning applications cost?

  Information on planning fees can be found here - Fees for Planning Applications in England

I have submitted an application

• My application is not live, what do I do?

  Your application will go through a validation check prior to being made live on the website. If additional information is required, a Planning Support Officer will contact you or your agent directly outlining what is required to make your application valid.  

  If you need additional support in terms of validation, please contact the Planning Support Team - 01386 565565 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• How can I view my planning application submission? 

  To view any application please visit the following link and enter the application number or location address, alternatively you can use the advanced search, weekly list or map format  - Quick Search - Wychavon District Council.

• Can I track a planning application?

  Yes, please search for the application reference using the following link Quick Search - Wychavon District Council and click “Track This App”.

  Complete your name and email address to receive alerts when new documentation is published to the online application file.

• I’ve received my acknowledgement letter but haven’t received any further updates. 

  Due to workload pressures, a Planning Officer will likely only make contact with you in the following circumstances -

  • to request additional information, clarification or amendments as necessary to attempt to advance the application positivity where there are no in principle or substantive issues with the proposals
  • to agree pre commencement conditions
  • if they are unable to determine the application by the target determination date.

  It is suggested that you track your application online and review any comments or consultation responses. If you need to submit amended plans or additional information, please do so by emailing your allocated Planning Officer directly using the details provided on your acknowledgment letter.

  In terms of decision timeframes, a householder or minor planning application has a statutory determination period of 8 weeks and major applications have 13 weeks. 

• How is my application determined?

  The Planning Officer will assess the application. They will write a delegated report which includes a recommendation based on:  

  • Local Plan policies;
  • national planning policies and guidance;
  • planning history;
  • any potential detrimental impacts as a result of development e.g. unacceptable loss of light, privacy or outlook for neighbouring properties;
  • comments from technical consultees;
  • comments from the public (the public has 21 days to comment on planning applications)

  Technical consultees may be appointed to comment on applications, for example County Highways, Historic England, Environment Agency, Severn Trent, etc. 

  The Planning Officer can request additional information, amendments or changes to an application during the determination period, and they will likely contact your planning agent directly (if you have one).

• Who decides my planning application?

  In most cases applications are determined under delegated powers by the Planning Officer. However,  if there is significant conflict with the officers recommendation from the Parish Council or members of the public, or there is a conflict of interest with the applicant (i.e. the applicant is a Local Ward Member or Member of Staff) then these can be taken to Planning Committee through the Councils Scheme of Delegation.

  Further information on the determination process, including the full Scheme of Delegation can be found on the following link - The Planning Decision Process - Wychavon District Council.

• If planning permission is granted, what happens next?

  In most cases, you will have three years to implement the permission. However, we strongly advise that you check any conditions attached to your decision notice and ensure you comply with them before commencing development.

  Further information on planning conditions can be found on the following page - Planning Conditions 

• What constitutes a material start?

  A material start on site must commence before the expiry date of your planning application, which can be found on the decision notice.
  
  As set out under Section 56 of the Town and Country Planning Act, a material operation would include -  

  (a) any work of construction in the course of the erection of a building;

  (aa) any work of demolition of a building;

  (b) the digging of a trench which is to contain the foundations, or part of the foundations, of a building;

  (c) the laying of any underground main or pipe to the foundations, or part of the foundations, of a building or to any such trench as is mentioned in paragraph (b);

  (d) any operation in the course of laying out or constructing a road or part of a road;

  (e) any change in the use of any land which constitutes material development.

• Can I amend my permission once granted?

  If you wish to make changes to your planning application, please visit this webpage on amending your application prior or post decision - Amending your planning application

• If planning permission is refused, what can I do? 

  The applicant has the right to appeal the council’s decision to the Secretary of State within 12 weeks for a householder proposal or 6 weeks in most other cases. This is detailed on the final page of the decision notice.

  The Planning Inspectorate provide additional information on the appeals process via the following link - Find your local planning authority - Appeal a planning decision - GOV.UK

I have an interest in a planning application

• How can I find planning applications in my local area?

  You can search for planning applications on the Councils website, either through the planning search pages or my local area. This can be done by using the planning application number, address or by searching the area on a map.

  • Planning Application Quick Search
  • Planning Weekly List
  • My Local Area

• Why haven’t I been sent a notification of a development? 

  The Council must comply with the Neighbour Notification Code dated 2017, which can be viewed in full on the following weblink -  Neighbour Notification Code.
  
  This outlines that known occupiers of all adjacent properties sharing a common boundary to the application site curtilage will be issued with a notification letter.  Applications are also published on the Planning Weekly List.

  In some cases, site constraints may require the display of a site notice and a newspaper advertisements for a 21 day period.

• How do I comment on a planning application? 

  Please refer to the dedicated webpage on how to comment on a planning application - Commenting on a planning application

• Will my comment be published on the online application file and publicly available to view? 

  The Councils policy is to publish representation on the website, to enable public viewing demonstrating openness and transparency. Personal details including telephone numbers, email addresses and signatures will be redacted prior to publication.

  Please do not include any sensitive information (e.g. health or financial data) or any third party personal data within your comments. 

  Please note if you are submitting your comment via the website, please do not include personal information within the body of your comment. Further information on how to comment on a planning application can be found via the following weblink - Commenting on a planning application

• Can I appeal a planning permission granted to someone else?

  There are no third-party rights of appeal through the planning system against a decision of a local planning authority. Therefore, if you have concerns about a planning application and permission is granted, you cannot appeal that decision. 

  You can challenge the lawfulness of a decision via Judicial Review (Planning Court – GOV.UK). An application for Judicial Review of a decision must be made within six weeks of the decision.  

  Leave to proceed with a Judicial Review will not be granted by the Court unless there is evidence that a legal mistake has been made. A  Judicial Review will not succeed if it is based solely on a difference of opinion. 

Other

• I want a dropped kerb

  Planning permission will be needed if the proposed access sits on a classified road.

  Even if you do not need planning permission, you will still need permission from Ringway Infrastructure Services.

  You can email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01905 751651. 

  You can also write to them at:

  Ringway Infrastructure Services, Highways House,
  Warndon Depot,
  Pershore Lane, Warndon, 
  Worcestershire,
  WR4 0AA

• How do I obtain historic plans

  There are different ways in which you can obtain the planning history on a particular property or site. If you already know the planning application number or the full address for the property/site in question, it maybe useful for you to check on our Planning Search facility online to see if the information you need is already available.

  Alternatively, you can search via the My Local Area webpage My Local Area - Wychavon District Council.

  If you can’t find what you are looking for, you can contact the Planning Department directly, and our team will be happy to assist you free of charge. Please ensure that your request includes the planning reference numbers and associated address relating to your search.

  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Please note, we do not have information about the position of drains for homes in the district.

  This information will be held on the deeds to the property.

  If you need water and sewage plans, please contact the Mapping Team at Severn Trent on 0345 6016616. Please note, this is a chargeable service.

• How do I find constraints relevant to a property i.e. permitted development rights, agricultural ties, conservation area, tree preservation orders etc?

  A lot of information relating to properties and the immediate surroundings is held on the Councils My Local Area web service. Please follow this link for further information on this service - My Local Area - Wychavon District Council

• I need a copy of an agreement, where can I find them?

  Section 33; Section 38; Section 50; Section 278

  Worcestershire County Council Highways Department - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01905 844053

  Section 40; Section 104

  Severn Trent Developer Services

  Section 106

  For Wychavon Customers, you can usually obtain a copy of Section 106 agreements via My Local Area: My Local Area - Wychavon District Council

  If you cannot find what you’re looking for or need a S106 for Malvern Customers, please email your request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Section 52

  Section 52 agreements can often be found via My Local Area. My Local Area - Wychavon District Council(opens in a new window). If you cannot find what you’re looking for, please email your request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• I would like to find out who owns a tree

  The council do not hold records of the ownership of trees. If you believe the tree is owned by the council, please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• A Tree is overhanging a pavement or road

  If you have concerns about vegetation overhanging the pavement (or a road) you will need to contact the Highway Authority. In Worcestershire, the Highway Authority are based at Worcestershire County Council. To report an issue please visit their website via the following link, Report a road or path issue | Worcestershire County Council and selecting ‘Overgrown or fallen tree or shrubbery’.

• The height of a tree is restricting my view

  There is no legal mechanism at the councils disposal to restrict the height growth of deciduous trees and there is no legal right to a view. Please be aware that many trees are protected by either a conservation area or a tree preservation order, please bare this in mind before undertaking any works to trees as you may need to submit a tree works application. 

  Further information relating to trees and development can be found on this webpage - Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)

• Covenants on properties

  The Council do no hold records of legal covenants on properties, and it is suggested that you contact a solicitor directly.

The Government announced that they would give CIL charging authorities a discretion which is applicable for a limited time (in certain prescribed circumstances and if it is considered appropriate) to defer CIL payments, to disapply late payment interest and surcharge payments; and to credit interest already charged to developers.

The Requirements

The Regulations apply to developers with an annual turnover not exceeding £45 million to make a request to defer a CIL payment if:

• They have received a demand notice for a CIL payment;
• That CIL payment is set to be made before 31 July 2021; and
• They are experiencing financial difficulties for reasons connected to the effects of coronavirus.

The Request Process

Developers should make a deferral request to the Council no more than 14 days before, as soon as practicable after the date the CIL payment is due.

The Council can request as much information from the developer they reasonably need to consider the deferral request. Developers must provide that information, in so far as it is in their possession or control, within 14 days of the request being made.

The Council will make a decision to grant or refuse the request within 40 days of receiving the request. The Council may grant a deferral request for no more than 6 months beginning with the day the Council receives the request in writing. The Council are precluded from charging late payment interest or a surcharge while they are considering the request.

Where the deferral is refused, then the deadline for the payment will be within 7 days.

The CIL coronavirus regulations do not provide a right of appeal if a deferral request is refused.

Planning AppealsStreet Naming and NumberingCommunity Infrastructure LevyPlanning Committee

Commenting on a planning applicationLocal Land ChargesPlanning Conditions

Planning Obligations (Section 106)

Planning peer challenge report

During October 2021 we asked the Local Government Association and the Planning Advisory Service to carry out an independent check of our planning function. The report made a number of recommendations which we are now acting on to further improve our planning service.

pdf Read the Malvern Hills District and Wychavon District Councils peer challenge report. (378 KB)

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