Pre-application enquiries
We provide high-quality advice to customers before they submit development proposals. Our goal is to deliver a swift Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) service.
SuDS Approving Body
The Council gives advice to developers before and during the planning process.
We offer a pre-application service under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
As part of the initial discussions any information submitted must contain:
- Flow routes
- Discharge points
- Contour plan
Fees and charges
All applications are subject to the following conditions:
- SAB will provide these services within 28 days of receiving documents and payment.
- full fees are to be paid on submission and are non-refundable.
- this service is separate from the pre-planning application service.
- once your request for pre-application advice is validated, fees cannot be refunded.
Types of application
Pre-Application Advice Package (NOT including meeting with SuDS Approval Body)
| Development size | Fee | Description of service |
|---|---|---|
| a. Minor Development (1-9 dwellings, between 100m² – 999m²) | £300 | Review the submitted details and information resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations. |
| b. Major Development (10-24 dwellings, between 1,000m² – 1,999m²) | £600 | Review the submitted details and information resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations. |
| c. Large Major Development (More than 24 dwellings, over 1,999m²) | £1100 | Review the submitted details and information resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations |
Pre-Application Advice Package (NOT including meeting with SuDS Approval Body)
| Development size | Fee | Description of service |
|---|---|---|
| a. Minor Development (1-9 dwellings, between 100m² – 999m²) | £300 | Review the submitted details and information resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations. |
| b. Major Development (10-24 dwellings, between 1,000m² – 1,999m²) | £600 | Review the submitted details and information resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations. |
| c. Large Major Development (More than 24 dwellings, over 1,999m²) | £1100 | Review the submitted details and information resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations |
Pre-Application Advice Package (including meeting with SuDS Approval Body)
| Development size | Fee | Description of service |
|---|---|---|
| a. Minor Development (1-9 dwellings, between 100m² – 999m²) | £400 | Review the submitted details/information, site visit and/or SAB design meeting(s) resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations. |
| b. Major Development (10-24 dwellings, between 1,000m² – 1,999m²) | £700 | Review the submitted details/information, site visit and/or SAB design meeting(s) resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations. |
| c. Large Major Development (More than 24 dwellings, over 1,999m²) | £1300 | Review the submitted details/information, site visit and/or SAB design meeting(s) resulting a creation of a report with SuDS observations. |
Site visit(s)
The following fees are new and introduced in the basis of officers time.
| Development size | Fee | Description of service |
|---|---|---|
| All developments | £168 per site visit | This cost is for a site visit to be paid in addition to a pre-application package. This is inclusive of travel expense. |
SAB technical advice
| Development size | Fee | Description of service |
|---|---|---|
| All developments | £100 per hour | Technical response to specific question(s). Minimum of 1 hour charge. |
Guidance note
This guidance explains how the SAB for NPT gives pre-application advice:-
-
The Pre-Application Service offered by NPT (Section 5)
-
Extra advice given after the first response from the official service is under Section 6.1.
Developers are encouraged, to undertake informal pre-application discussions with the SAB.
Benefits
Talking to customers early helps the SAB deliver quality development quickly.
This helps by:
- speeding up decisions and improving proposals.
- finding issues and if you need specialist help.
- getting feedback if your development will be approved and finding solutions if not.
- advising on what you need for your application.
- reducing the time your advisors spend.
Our Commitment to you
The Council provides the best drainage advice to developers before they apply.
Our Promise
We offer high-quality advice to make your development quick and easy.
After submitting a pre-application form, the allocated Case Officer will:
- contact you to discuss your request
- arrange either one site visit or meeting (at the Case Officer's discretion)
- provide a written response
Key Details
- Fees cover all costs for researching and providing written advice.
- These fees are separate from application fees. You must still pay the full application fee if you apply after receiving paid advice.
- The pre-application service is not confidential.
- Additional talks or responses to changed drawings will require a new request.
We recommend using the service for initial advice.
Submit a request
Get Council (SAB) approval before construction. Developers need SAB approval for drainage and planning.
Skipping this step can slow things down and cause more issues if the drainage plan isn't right. Doing this step first avoids problems.
Talking to the Council early helps by combining planning and drainage approval.