Planning applications – frequently asked questions

You can use our pre-application enquiry service or the Planning Portal to find out whether or not planning permission is required for your proposal

Our pre-application enquiry service is available to use by the general public, and the details can be found on the pre-application planning advice page.

Alternatively you can use the free self-service on the Planning Portal on the following websites:

• The Government Planning Portal website.
• Interactive House.
• Planning Portal Use Classes.
• Planning Portal – When permission is not required for Use Change.

It’s a good idea to use this service in the first instance as it contains general information and lots of free advice. It’s particularly helpful for finding out if you need to apply for planning permission before making changes to your property.

Restrictions may be in place on a piece of land or property that could affect its permitted development rights.

Depending on the type of enquiry and receipt of the relevant fee, a Planning Officer will look into your enquiry and provide a written response. Check our fee guide, relevant forms and information and payment methods.

Please send the forms to planningpreapp@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or by posting to the following address:

Planning and Economic Growth
Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2AU

You will need to include the completed form, any plans or drawings, and the relevant fee.

Yes, permission is required to convert a property to an HMO. We cannot give advice on whether your change of use application would be supported before you formally apply as there may be changes of use in the surrounding building in the meantime that may make the advice out of date.

You are advised to read our HMO SPD prior to submitting an application.

We are currently experiencing a delay in responding to planning applications.  We have recently obtained additional resources to speed up the process to please be reassured that we will respond as soon as we can. There are updates on all pending applications on our Public Access System by searching for the application with the reference number.

Applications will only appear on the Public Access System once they have been made valid which is why you may not be able to see your application.

If you register as a user you are able to track your property and when changes occur you will be updated.

• Planning applications – view and comment online