Do I need planning permission?
New buildings, major alterations or enlargements of existing
buildings and changes in use of buildings and land are development
and will normally need planning permission.
Follow this link to download
an
enquiry form to help us determine whether
you need planning permission for householder developments.
The following links to the Department for Communities and Local
Government (DCLG) website will help you to find out whether
planning permission is required for various categories of
development.
Follow this link to the
Planning Portal for other useful tools
for deciding whether planning permission is needed or explaining
the process.
Important: If it appears that planning permission is not
required once you have viewed the criteria, you are advised to
forward a rough, dimensioned sketch of your proposal to us so that
a double check can be made. Permitted development rights may
have been removed on a previous application, meaning that planning
permission may still be required.
General pre-application advice
The Development Control team actively encourages pre-application
advice. If you would like to discuss your proposals with a
Planning Officer prior to submitting an application, you may write
to us with details of your proposals or vist the office in
person. A duty system operates between 9am and 1pm Monday to
Friday when general planning advice can be given, or you can meet
with a Planning Officer by appointment - telephone 01638
719480.
The application process
The following links provide guidance on the planning application
process:
Consultations
We advertise all applications by a notice displayed on site.
Applications that require advertising under the planning
legislation as a statutory requirement will appear in one or both
local papers - the Newmarket Journal and Bury Free Press.
Residential neighbours whose boundaries abut the application site
are also informed. In many cases, we will also consult other
organisations about an application, such as the Highways Authority,
the Environment Agency and the local parish council.
How to make comments on an application
The following links provide general guidance on commenting on
planning applications:
If you wish to make comments, please make them in writing, quoting
the reference number, to:
Planning Services
Forest Heath District Council
College Heath Road
Mildenhall
Suffolk
IP28 7EY
or email
dc@forest-heath.gov.uk
If you have any queries about this advice, you can contact Planning
Reception on 01638
719480.