Before you begin

Please read the 'how to pay' tab for details about charges for this service. Make sure you have all the relevant documents listed in the 'what you need' tab.

To make sure you’re eligible for this service you'll need to read the statements below. Only continue if you can answer yes to both of them:

• you're enquiring about a property or site in the Barnsley borough; and 
• you're requesting this service for yourself, or on behalf of someone who has given you their permission.

Check out our further information sheet. This can be used to find out more about the level of advice you’ll be given. 

We'll only use personal details for the services we provide to you. You can find more on our privacy policy.

Terms and conditions

Advice given by us for pre-application enquiries does not constitute a formal response or our decision about future planning consents. Views or opinions expressed are given in good faith, and to the best of ability. This is without prejudice to formally consider the planning application.

The application needs to undergo consultation with the public and interested parties which will also be taken into account when this is determined by us. We can't give guarantees about the final decision that will be made on your planning or related applications. However, we'll consider the advice note when making a decision on future planning related applications.

We'll also consider changes in circumstances and details that could alter the original position. Little or no weight will be given to our pre-application advice for schemes submitted more than three years after the advice was given.

If the development also relates to a protected building or site we may need to contact you for further details. This may result in an extra charge. For major developments, in some cases it may be necessary to enter into a planning performance agreement.

What you need

You need to provide details to help us identify relevant planning policies:

• a location plan (to the scale of 1:2500)
• a layout plan (to the scale of 1:500)
• full details of the existing site or buildings

You may also need to back this up with:

• a full description of the proposal, with drawings
• any additional drawings, photos or models

The larger the development the more details you’ll need to provide. 

You can upload copies of your plans and details while you’re filling in the online form. You can't upload plans that are larger than 25MB file size. If your file is larger than 25MB please save them to a CD. These can be dropped at our offices.  You can also send them to Barnsley Council, Planning and Environment, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG. Please note, if you save them to a CD we cannot accept .exe or zip files in any format.

When you fill in our online form you should tell us that your documents have been submitted separately. When you hand in any supporting items you should clearly mark them with the site address.

How to pay

The amount you pay depends on the type and size of your development. You can see below how much you'll be charged. You need to pay the charge when you apply before we can provide advice.

All fees include VAT. If you need a VAT receipt you'll need to provide an email address in your application. 

Residential developments

• Five dwellings or fewer: £250
• Six to 19 dwellings: £750
• 20 dwellings or more: £1500

Non-residential developments

• 499 square metres or less of additional floor space: £275
• 500 to 4999 square metres of additional floor space: £750
• 5000 square metres or more of additional floor space: £1500

Changes of use (Including HMO's)

• £200

Other developments not within the above categories

Please email us at developmentmanagement@barnsley.gov.uk providing a brief description of the proposal and total site area. This is to request a quote for the following building works:

• outline applications
• plant and machinery
• county matters (minerals or waste)
• car parks, service roads or other accesses
• oil or natural gas.

What happens next

Once you've applied, paid and sent supporting documents.  Then we'll aim to contact you within 28 days.

If we don’t have enough details we may ask you to send through more before we can process your request.