Your County - Putting Kent First

Kent 4 star Council

The planning process

A guide to the stages involved in making a planning application to Kent County Council.

Before you apply

We encourage you to discuss your proposals informally with us before you submit an application.

We can advise you about which forms will be required and give you a view on whether your development is likely to be acceptable in planning terms.

We can also help to identify any particularly important issues that you may need to address in your application to ensure its likely success.

Time spent at this pre-application stage will usually save a lot of time at the following application stage.

Making an application

Planning applications for minerals or waste related development and developments by Kent County Council should be submitted to the council for determination.

Other types of planning application such as housing, industrial or commercial developments should be made to the relevant borough or district council.

When making a planning application you will need to provide the following:

  • Application form
  • Relevant Ownership and Agricultural Holdings Certificate for mineral applications.
  • Supporting statement and plans to illustrate the proposal
  • Fee

To download these documents please visit our page on making an application.

For more major proposals, you may also need to submit an environmental statement as part of an environmental impact assessment.

This is normally required in connection with planning applications for certain types of development, which are judged to have significant environmental effects.

For information about fees please visit our page on planning application fees.

Processing

Your application will be submitted to the planning applications unit who will register, validate and process through to a decision.

The planning applications unit is responsible for processing planning applications for mineral and waste developments.

They also process the council's own developments, such as new schools and facilities and determining submissions made under the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act.

The planning applications unit also represents the council at public inquiries and hearings.

Copyright Kent County Council 2009