Apply for planning permission

Do you need planning permission or building regulations approval?

Planning rules determine whether you can go ahead with projects and building regulations set standards to ensure that buildings are safe. 

You may need to apply for planning permission and building regulations approval for your project. You can read more about the difference between planning permission and building regulations approval on the Planning Portal website.

The process of applying for building regulations approval is separate to applying for planning permission and involves different checks. You can read more about it and apply for building regulations approval online.

Types of planning permission

There are two main types of application; full planning permission and outline planning permission. You can read more about the types of application and possible planning consents on the government's planning guidance website. 

We recommend that you ask us for pre-application advice to make sure that you have selected the correct application, and for information on the different types of application and consents. There is a charge for this service. Choose the advice relevant for you from the following:

Your application

You can apply for planning permission online or by post.

All planning and building control applications must include dimensions clearly marked on plans/sections and elevations.

If you are submitting a householder planning application, it would also help us if you included recent photographs of the building subject to the application and its immediate surroundings.

Online applications

You can submit your planning applications, including forms, plans and other supporting documents, electronically via the Planning Portal website.

If you've not used the portal before you'll need to register first.

Using the portal is straightforward and secure. The online process guides you through your applications, with help available at each stage. It allows you to save your application and return to it at any time to complete it.

Please note that Planning Portal charge a service fee of £64 (incl. VAT) in addition to the standard national planning application fee.

Email and postal applications

If you prefer to apply by email you can download an application form which you must fully complete and scan. You'll need to submit a set of plans together with any accompanying documents with your form. Please read the appropriate guidance notes to support you with your application.

You'll need to have paid the appropriate fee for you application online by card or over the phone by calling (01226) 772595. (Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm, except Bank Holidays).  

The scanned form and supporting documents can be emailed to us at developmentmanagement@barnsley.gov.uk.

If you prefer to apply by post, please pay your fee and send your completed application to Planning and Building Control, Barnsley MBC, PO Box 634, Barnsley S70 9GG.

Planning process

Find out about the various stages of the planning process and the timescales involved.

Planning fees

A fee is payable with most planning applications; to determine the cost of your application please refer to the national list of fees and charges. You can work out how much your application may cost on the Planning Portal's online fee calculator.

Your information 

When you submit a planning application the information you provide will be used to determine it. A version of your application with sensitive information removed, in addition to relevant supporting documents and plans, will be published on our Planning Explorer online system.

Where necessary, the information may be shared with external organisations (eg Yorkshire Water, Environment Agency, etc.) to assist in determining your application. The information may also be shared with other Barnsley Council services (eg Building Control, highways, etc).

Our privacy policy provides further details.