Make a planning application

Before submitting any application please ensure you have read the Cornwall Council Validation GuideThis document:

• provides guidance
• helps avoid invalid submissions
• helps avoid delays in validation due to missing information

Validation Guide updated to version 1.7 on 10/04/2024. Please see table of validation updates for further information. You my need to refresh your browser to ensure you are viewing the most up to date version.

This page tells you validation timescales and how to:

• submit a planning application
• download forms
• make a payment and
• where to get help and advice.

The number of days quoted is indicative of when most applications are validated. Updated 22 August 2024.

* The DMPO defines 'working day' as 'a day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday or other Public Holiday.' Any applications submitted on a non-working day or after 5pm on a working day will be classed as being received the next working day.

For information on the top 10 reasons why applications are invalid on receipt please visit the make a better application page.

Not sure which application to submit or if one is required?

See below links for guidance:

• Do I need planning permission
• Planning fees and charges supplementary document
• Pre-application and pre-planning advice
• Advice for planning applicants

Submit electronically

To help speed up the planning process all our applicants and agents are encouraged to submit electronically.

You can use the Planning Portal to submit and pay for your application online.

Planning Portal

Planning Portal is a service to submit planning applications electronically. Registration is easy and you can complete your application form, upload supporting documents and pay fees online.

It should be noted that this site is not run by Cornwall Council. If you experience any difficulties with this website please contact support@planningportal.co.uk or 0333 323 4589

If you are submitting following a withdrawal, refusal, approval or returned application, please do not use the amend application function and submit an updated version of an existing application. A new application will need to be created with a new reference.

If you are unable to submit electronically via the Planning Portal, please download forms and send to the following address.

Cornwall Council - Planning Department
New County Hall
Treyew Road
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 3AY.

The use of a file share/transfer site should only be used in agreement with the Development Support Team. This method of providing information will only be accepted where submitting documents via the Planning Portal, hard copy or email is not an option.

Guidance

In addition to the Validation Guide, the following information may also assist:

• Tree Application Validation Document
• Prior notification guidance note

For householder applications, applicants may wish to consider an accredited agent.

Please also visit our:

• Additional Development Guidance page for more technical guidance including:
  • Annexe Guidance Note
  • Permitted development rights in respect of agricultural buildings Class Q.

  To view constraints and designations follow the above link to interactive mapping. Once the relevant area has been identified using the location search select the layers tab. Most designations can be found by expanding the Environment and Planning option. However there are also mapping layers for Listed Building, Historic Environment and Public Rights of Way.

  Contaminated Land

  There is currently no publicly available layer on our interactive mapping which provides information on contaminated land. In order to determine whether a site could potentially be affected by contamination please see page 4 of the following document:

  Privacy statement

  Planning fees

  You can view a list of fees and charges in our Fees and charges document. Further information on our fees can be found within our Planning fees and charges supplementary document. The Planning Portal Fee calculator takes you through a set of questions to help work out your planning application fee.

  Submitting via the Planning Portal? All application fees must be paid via the Planning Portal for the application to be released.

  Submitting hard copy? You can pay your fee online on our website or by phone on 0300 1234 151.

  Download forms

  Most application forms are available via the Planning Portal:Find and download paper formsOnly forms which are not available via the Planning Portal can be downloaded below.

  Please note from 1 April 2022 planning applications which can be submitted via the Planning Portal will no longer be accepted by email.

  Important information - please download and save a copy of the below forms before making any amendments. Any information completed directly onto the form and forwarded will be lost.

  Trees

  • Tree Application Documents
  • Tree Works Form
  • Tree Works Application Submission Guide 2017 V2
  • Joint Statement By The Environment And Planning And Sustainable Development Services September 2020
  • Dead And Dangerous Tree Notice Advice Note
  • Trees and Planning - managing and increasing trees through the planning process

  The following can be submitted using our online forms:

  • New Tree Preservation Order form
  • Dead and Dangerous Tree Notice Form