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Introduction to Development Control

The development and use of land in Portsmouth is guided by the City Local Plan, which gives details of what types of development will and will not be permitted in an area.

Planning permission, (by controlling development), is the way the policies in the plan are applied. This process forms a vital part of the our commitment to protecting and improving the environment.

Most, but not all development will require permission and these decisions need to find the right balance between competing interests. Deciding what does and what does not need permission can sometimes be a complex matter. Here in Planning we are available to give free advice.

If you want to avoid unnecessary delays or refusals of permission, please call in for a chat first. Go to ground floor reception in the Civic Offices, Guildhall Square and a member of the Customer Services team will help you.

Below is a form that you can use to help us decide whether planning permission is needed.

Contact us

We're open from 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am - 4pm Friday. You can call us on 023 9283 4334 or fx on 023 9283 4660.

Associated documents:

• Use this form to help us decide whether you need planning permission  (0.14 MB)

More information about making planning applications

What is Planning Permission
Types of Planning Application
How to make a planning application
How we deal with your application
Development Control Committee

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