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Pre-app planning advice

Householder developments pre-application advice

Planning pre-application advice is available for householder developments, such as extensions or external works to a house or flat.

On this page we have put together guidance for householder developments. Please read this before submitting a request for advice. 

Some minor householder and development works are covered by permitted development rights and don’t need planning permission. Check if you need planning permission.  

There is a possibility we may be asked to provide information about pre-application advice inquiries, when FOI and EI requests are made.

What are householder developments

Householder development proposals include:

  • Alterations and extensions to houses and flats
  • Boundary enclosures such as walls and fences
  • Development in the garden area of a house and flat
  • Other related domestic type of development

How we assess proposals

When we assess the proposal, we will consider how well it relates to the scale and design of the existing house. Also, making sure development doesn't create new issues for any neighbours due to overlooking, over-shadowing or overbearing.

Proposals:

  • Should avoid over-development of small gardens that results in very limited outside space remaining, and should not incorporate areas of open space or landscaping within modern residential areas
  • In the countryside, should not significantly increase land outside the existing garden ground in the countryside, such as, into open fields
  • With new boundary enclosures over 1m in height should not generally front on to a public road or existing footpath

Some proposals will also need to be assessed by the Roads team, for example householder proposals that result in:

  • Creation of additional bedrooms
  • Changes to existing, or creating new vehicular access

On your application drawings you will need to show level of on-site car parking provision and the standard of access and associated visibility splays.

Find out about the process for installing a dropped kerb. View public and private roads in Aberdeenshire.

Policies

Any formal planning application will be assessed against the national and local development plan policies, and are most likely to be supported if they comply with them.

National Planning Framework 4

Your proposal should comply with Policy 16: Quality homes (sections G and H), of the National Planning Framework 4.

Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023

If the site is in Aberdeenshire, your proposal should also comply with Policy P3: Infill Development within Settlements and Householder Developments (view P3.2 under section 9), of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023.

Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021

If the site is in the Cairngorms National Park, your proposal should also comply with Policy 1.7: Alterations to Existing Houses, of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2021.

Other considerations

Depending on the nature of your proposal there might be other considerations you must meet (we encourage you to get advice from qualified professionals):

Request further advice

If you have read the guidance and are still unsure, you can request pre-application advice online or in paper. To request a paper form please contact us.

View our householder pre-application advice guidance (PDF 138KB) to find out what you need to provide with your request, and what information we will give you in our response.

Request householder pre-application advice

View planning applications privacy notice (PDF 48.2KB) to find out what we do with your data.

What happens next

After we get your request for advice, we can give you an estimated date by which you can expect a response.