Before Making an Application

Cumbria County Council is responsible for deciding all planning applications for minerals or waste related developments and for deciding applications for their own developments, for example schools. For all other types of development you should go to the relevant District Council or, for developments within the National Parks, to the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities. 

If you would like the opportunity to discuss your proposals informally before submitting an application you are welcome to contact us. We can help you to ensure that you provide all the information required for speedy processing of your application and also give you a view on whether your development is likely to be acceptable in planning terms.

Planning applications for developments which are judged to have a significant environmental effect may require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). If you are unsure whether an EIA is necessary you are strongly recommended to contact us before submitting your application.

Changes to the planning legislation which came into effect from 10th August 2006 result in some planning applications requiring a design and access statement to be submitted as part of the application.  If a design and access statement is required, failure to submit this will invalidate your application. For more information please download our guidance notes via the link below.