Part III

Control over development
England: consultation
before applying for planning permission
or permission in principle

England: requirement to carry out pre-application consultation
61W
1
Where—
a
a person proposes to make an application for planning permission
, or permission in principle,
for the development of any land in England, and
b
the proposed development is of a description specified in a development order,
the person must carry out consultation on the proposed application in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).
2
The person must publicise the proposed application in such manner as the person reasonably considers is likely to bring the proposed application to the attention of a majority of the persons who live at, or otherwise occupy, premises in the vicinity of the land.
3
The person must consult each specified person about the proposed application.
4
Publicity under subsection (2) must—
a
set out how the person (“P”) may be contacted by persons wishing to comment on, or collaborate with P on the design of, the proposed development, and
b
give such information about the proposed timetable for the consultation as is sufficient to ensure that persons wishing to comment on the proposed development may do so in good time.
5
In subsection (3) “
specified person
” means a person specified in, or of a description specified in, a development order.
6
Subsection (1) does not apply—
a
if the proposed application is an application under section
293A
293B
, or
b
in cases specified in a development order.
7
A person subject to the duty imposed by subsection (1) must, in complying with that subsection, have regard to the advice (if any) given by the local planning authority about local good practice.
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) except ss. 76, 90(2)(5) applied (with modifications) (17.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1492, regs. 2(1)(b), 3-11
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106): power to modify conferred (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 171(1)(a); S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) applied (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 42, s. 24(1) (with ss. 2, 30(1), Sch. 2 para.9)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) extended (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 96(2) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2765, art. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 20(3), Sch. 5 Pt. III paras. 15(1), 20 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 4, Sch. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 9(1)(2)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 51
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (2.4.2004) by The Docklands Light Railway (Woolwich Arsenal Extension) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/757), art. 20(1)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (31.10.2005) by The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (Planning Functions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2721), art. 4
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (25.11.2005) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3105), art. 21(1) (with arts. 3(5), 15(3))
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) applied (7.6.2006) by Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5), ss. 89, 121, Sch. 4 para. 3(2) (with s. 111); S.I. 2006/1281, art. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (22.11.2006) by The Docklands Light Railway (Stratford International Extension) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2905), art. 17(1) (with art. 43)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (13.12.2006) by The Luton Dunstable Translink Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3118), art. 18(1)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (4.5.2005) by The Telford Railfreight Terminal (Donnington) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1163), art. 25(2) (with art. 30)
Pt. 3 modified (23.8.2007) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement and 2012 Games Preparation) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2297), art. 17(1) (with arts. 3(6), 12(3))
Pt. 3 modified (28.9.2007) by The London Gateway Logistics and Commercial Centre Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2657), art. 27(1) (with art. 19, Sch. 3 para. 13(2))
Pt. 3 modified (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), s. 10(1)
Pt. 3 modified (14.10.2008) by The Felixstowe Branch Line and Ipswich Yard Improvement Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2512), art. 34(1) (with art. 36(3))
Pt. 3 modified (20.7.2010) by The Network Rail (Nuneaton North Chord) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1721), art. 28(1)
Pt. 3 modified (27.8.2010) by The Llangollen and Corwen Railway Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2136), art. 11(1)
S. 61W applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2017/402, art. 5C (as inserted (E.) (1.6.2018) by The Town and Country Planning (Permission in Principle) (Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1309), arts. 1, 4)
Pt. 3 modified (11.1.2023) by The Network Rail (Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1406), arts. 1, 35(2) (with art. 34(2), Sch. 12 paras. 5, 47, 79)
Words in s. 61W title substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 1.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 17(4), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2016/52, art. 2(a) (with art. 6)
Words in s. 61W cross-heading inserted (13.7.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 12 para. 3; S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(d)
Pt. 3 applied (1.2.2011) by The River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/41), arts. 1, 47(1) (with art. 51, Sch. 10 paras. 68, 85)
Word in s. 61W(6)(a) substituted (26.12.2023 for specified purposes, 1.5.2025 for specified purposes) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3), Sch. 10 para. 2 (with s. 247); S.I. 2025/430, reg. 2(b)
Ss. 61W-61Y and cross-heading inserted (15.11.2011 for specified purposes, 17.12.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 122(1), 240(5)(l) (with ss. 122(3), 144) (as amended (25.4.2024) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 122, 255(3)(b) (with s. 247); S.I. 2024/452, reg. 3(h)); S.I. 2013/2931, art. 2
Pt. 3 modified (21.4.2011) by The Network Rail (Hitchin (Cambridge Junction)) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1072), arts. 1, 36(2)
Words in s. 61W cross-heading substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 1.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 17(5), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2016/52, art. 2(a) (with art. 6)
Words in s. 61W(1)(a) inserted (13.7.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 12 para. 4; S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(d)
Pt. 3 applied (5.4.2017) by The Keuper Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/433), arts. 1, 38(2)