Pre Application

Pre-application is an early-stage discussion with your local planning authority to assess the viability of your proposal before a formal application is submitted. At BDS, we help you prepare clear, compliant design proposals and guide you through every step of the process.

Why Choose BDS for Pre-Application?

We begin with a design consultation and site visit to understand your vision and site constraints. From there, we develop initial concepts and layouts for review. We then liaise with the council to gain early planning feedback, assess any policy concerns, and refine the design accordingly. This proactive step helps uncover potential issues early, increasing your chances of approval. Our team supports you throughout, providing planning advice, handling communications, and preparing all necessary documents. With BDS, your project is positioned for success right from the start.
  • Early-stage design concepts tailored to your site
  • Site visits and project briefing with our design team
  • Planning policy checks and pre-app document preparation
  • Liaison with local planning officers for early feedback
  • Design refinements based on council advice and constraints
Our team manages every aspect of the pre-application process, from initial design proposals to planning authority engagement, ensuring clarity, compliance, and confidence before moving forward.

The Process

01

Project Briefing

We begin by discussing your goals, vision, and the purpose of the proposed development.

02

Site Visit & Assessment

A member of our team visits the site to assess its condition, constraints, and potential opportunities.

03

Identify Key Constraints

We highlight any planning restrictions, local character issues, or environmental constraints.

04

Planning Policy Review

We check your proposal against relevant national and local planning policies.

05

Initial Concept Design

Our team develops early layout options or massing studies based on your brief and site findings.

06

Draft Proposal Document

We prepare a clear pre-app design pack, including drawings, site context, and project rationale.

07

Pre-Application Submission

We submit the pre-application package to the local planning authority for review.

08

Liaise with Planning Officers

We meet or correspond with the planning team to clarify intentions and gather informal feedback.

09

Feedback Review

We assess the response from the council and identify key planning risks or opportunities.

10

Design Revisions & Next Steps

We update the design and outline a strategy for the full planning application, based on the advice received.