How to get advice

How to get advice

When is planning advice offered?

Westminster receives around 3,500 planning applications each year, of which approximately 40 are major applications. Major planning applications are those proposing over 1,000m2 of new floorspace or 10 or more residential units.

Due to their larger scale and the dense urban environment across much of the city, development proposed by major applications typically has a significant and lasting impact on the appearance, character and function of the local area. Accordingly it is important that local people are appropriately supported to respond to consultation on applications of this scale. 

For this reason the Community Planning Advice Service is available to everyone with an interest in a current major planning application where consultation is ongoing. 

Major applications where consultation is ongoing are shown on the map on the home page as purple dots. You can click on the dots to find out more about each application. 

Who can get advice?

The service is open to all individuals and groups, including residents, community groups, and those representing businesses or other bodies. 

What advice can be provided? 

The Community Planning Advice Service provides free planning advice to anyone who needs help understanding a major planning application proposal, wants support understanding which planning policies and guidance may be applicable, or wants assistance commenting on a major application. 

How do I request planning advice?

To access the service and receive planning advice please complete the advice request form. We aim to acknowledge your request within 3 working days, setting out a timetable for provision of advice.

The process for requesting advice and how the advice is provided is summarised in the flow diagram below.

Further information

Further information on the scope of the service and how the service operates is provided in the Frequently Asked Questions.