Submitting an application
We welcome and encourage discussions before you submit your application. A planner will be available at the One-Stop reception on the 5th floor of the Town Hall to discuss, with any resident of the borough or local business, proposals to alter or extend their property and, if planning permission is required, how it can be obtained. Developers and professional advisers should normally make an appointment to see someone familiar with the area to ensure that such discussions are of maximum value (list of area contacts). Simple enquiries can be dealt with by telephone. Confidentiality within the council will be respected.

The advice given will be accurate and objective but will be without prejudice to the formal consideration of an application by the council. We will give you information about relevant planning policies and previous decisions and, where appropriate, our standards for such matters as parking provision, amenity space etc. We will also advise you about the likely time scale for dealing with a planning application and the procedures to follow.

From 8 April 2008 to ensure that your application is valid and can be determined by the Council, you must ensure that your application is accompanied by the information indicated in the Wandsworth planning application requirements.

Advice notes on how to complete the application forms, are provided at the end of each form. The Council has published a list of the relevant information it requires for each type of application. These requirements are likely to be mandatory from 1 October 2007, prior to that date, providing this information at the time you submit your application, should help avoid unnecessary delays. You can also view the our planning policies online and a range of supplementary planning guidance and advice.

It is important that you provide accurate drawings with sufficient detail and to a recognisable scale. It can also often be helpful if you discuss your proposal informally with your neighbours before you make your application.

From 10 August 2006 new government rules require that a design and access statement must accompany most planning and listed building applications. The new rules apply to both outline and full planning applications, the only exceptions are:-

• applications for a material change in the use of land and buildings unless the application also involves operational development
• engineering or mining operations
• development of an existing dwelling house or development within the curtilage of a dwelling house for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house unless the dwelling house is in a conservation area.

We will not be able to entertain, undertake consultations or process applications without the necessary design and access statements.

More information: design and access statements

Submitting a planning application
1. An application has to be made on the right forms. We encourage applications to be submitted online. Application forms are also available from the Town Hall or from this site. You need to certify whether you are the sole owner of the property; if not you will have to serve notice on all the owners that you are making the application. You should include two sets of scaled or dimensioned plans. For large applications, plans and supporting material can be submitted on disc. You do not need to include an Ordnance Survey map extract provided the site boundaries are clearly identifiable from your application. In most cases, a planning fee has to be paid. If you are in any doubt as to what is required or what the planning fee should be, a planner will be able to help you.

2. When submitting your application online you can submit drawings in a variety of formats and you can pay the fee online or separately by cheque.

3. If you appoint an agent to act on your behalf, which is usually helpful, all correspondence will be sent to your agent who will also be contacted if information or amendments are needed. It will be your agent's responsibility to keep you informed of what is happening to your application.

4. We will let you know, normally within 3 working days, if any further information is required to make your application valid. If this additional information is not received within six months, the application will be treated as withdrawn.

5. We will register and acknowledge valid applications within 3 working days. The acknowledgement will give the name and telephone number of the planner dealing with the application. A target date by which we hope to make a decision will be given although this can later change if, for example, amendments are needed or it is difficult to arrange access to the site. Your rights as an applicant will also be explained.

6. If the application is for a proposal which does not need planning permission, you will be told within one week of this being established and we will refund your fee.