Duty planner advice service

Please note, that from 5th January 2021, the Duty Planner Telephone Service will be reduced down to 3 days – Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays only.

Get informal advice on some planning issues from our duty planner advice service.
Advice given by the duty planner does not indicate a formal decision by the council. Any views or opinions expressed are given in good faith and to the best of our ability. The opinions are without prejudice to the formal consideration of any planning application.

Before you start

Planning Portal Project advice includes information and interactive guides on extensions, loft and basement conversions, conservatories, outbuildings, self-build homes and greener homes – details on what you can build without planning permission.

What advice you can get

The duty planner will be able to help you by:

• Explaining national and local planning policy and processes
• Giving general advice on permitted development rights
• Explaining application drawings on current planning applications but no opinion can be given on the merits of an application
• Discussing planning policies or constraints that could affect an application such as being in the green belt or in a conservation area

The duty planner will not be available to:

• Provide an opinion on whether planning permission would or would not be granted – apply for our pre-application advice for this service
• Provide updates on current applications
• Advise neighbouring residents on what they should or should not object to
• Discuss the technical merits of applications, refusals or appeals
• Agree to minor amendments to planning permissions and submit them on make a planning application
• Determine whether planning permission is required for a proposal – see permitted development and exemptions to use the Planning Portal to apply for a lawful development certificate
• Accept complaints against an alleged breach of planning permission – you can report a planning breach online to our planning enforcement team
• Discuss ongoing planning enforcement enquiries with our Planning Enforcement Team
• Provide updates on the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (EFSAC)
• Answer building regulations enquiries

Telephone the duty planner

Our duty planner is available between 9am to 11.30am Tuesday to Thursday, except bank holidays. Our customer contact centre will put you through to our duty planner

If the duty planner is busy leave a voicemail message including your name, telephone number, short details of what you wish to discuss, and the address to which this relates and we will call you within 24 hours. Failure to leave sufficient information may result in no call back.

• Call 01992 564000