How to receive, amend or appeal a planning decision; what to do if you have an enforcement complaint and other processes after a decision is made.
Receiving a planning decision
Householder applications usually take six to eight weeks to determine once they are validated, if there are no complications. Major applications usually take longer and we’ll discuss a target determination date with you.
We’ll email notifications and decision notices to you so you receive them quickly and efficiently.
This will only work if you or your agent submit a planning application through the Planning Portal and give us your email address.
You can check the status of your application though our planning database search planning database search or wait until you or your agent receive the decision by post.
Refusals and appeals
If we refuse your application the information on refusals and appeals may be of interest.
Approval of details reserved by condition
Most planning approvals contain some planning conditions. We use conditions to ensure that development that may not be considered acceptable, can be approved subject to certain criteria. These criteria are detailed in conditions.
Some conditions will need to be discharged or approved as determined during the original planning application. You can do this by making an application to discharge or approve details reserved by conditions via the Planning Portal.
Car free developments and restrictions to parking permits
To check if your property has a planning restriction which limits the issue of parking permits, and how to apply to change this restriction, please visit our car free developments page.
Planning enforcement
If you think a development may not be being constructed in line with the approved plans, you can refer the matter to our planning enforcement team. See planning enforcement.
Obtaining copies of determined plans and decision notices
Plans and decision notices are available at the Town Hall and on the website using our planning database search.
a) How can I be updated on the status of my application?
You can view the status of your planning application in the planning database.
Type your reference number into the search box. You can also call your case officer – details are on the letter you received when we told your application is valid.
b) Can I amend a planning application?
Depending on what you want to amend, you may need to send us either a non-material amendment application or a minor material amendment. Or, you may need to vary a condition.
To find the right form to fill and send please visit make a planning application.
c) How can I get a parking permit?
We have developed a new webpage that contains information on how to check if your property has a planning restriction which limits the issue of parking permits, and how to apply to change this restriction.
Please visit: www.lbhf.gov.uk/permitfree for more details.
d) How can I discharge a condition on my planning permission?
To discharge a planning condition, you will need to fill in the correct form, send any relevant document related to the condition you are complying or discharging and pay a fee of £28 for householders or £97 per other request. Remember, you may need to discharge some conditions before you can begin your development.
e) How long does it takes to process a planning application?
Householder applications usually take six to eight weeks to determine once they are validated, if there are no complications. Major applications usually take longer and we’ll discuss a target determination date with you.
f ) How can I make sure I don't miss any important application deadlines?
To make sure that you are kept up-to-date about planning applications in your area, you can sign up to our e-alerts. We’ll email you when we receive a planning application within your specified location criteria.
g) What do you take into consideration when assessing a planning application?
We refer to the development plan. This comprises the London Plan, the saved policies from the Unitary Development Plan, the Core Strategy and the Development Management Local Plan. We also consider the impact that the development has on neighbours. This could include noise and disturbance; privacy and overlooking; and daylight, sunlight and overlooking.
h) How do I know the outcome of my application?
We email notifications and decision notices so you get them quickly and efficiently.
This will only work if you or your agent submit a planning application through the Planning Portal and give us an email address.
You can also check the status of your application though PublicAccess or wait until you or your agent receive the letter by post with the decision.