Duty Planning Officer Service

We offer a Duty Planning Officer service to provide general informal advice on the planning system and the procedures associated with it. 

This is offered via an appointment based only system. The service will be made available between 10.00am and 1.00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in 20 minute appointment  slots.

The service is designed to be a first point of contact to obtain advice on the following matters only:
 

• Procedure and process relating to the planning system;
• Interpretation of planning policies relating to extensions and alterations to residential properties;
• Interpretation of planning policies for minor developments to commercial properties (including advertisements); 
• Interpretation and advice on permitted development rights;
• Support in interpreting drawings and plans.
• General advice/guidance regarding other minor developments

This service provides informal verbal advice only on the matters listed above. Written advice is not offered via this service. If you require pre-application advice on the likelihood of the Local Planning Authority supporting proposed development please refer to our pre-application service  Alternatively, you can proceed to submit a planning application to the Council via the Planning Portal website to receive a formal decision.   Should you be of the view that a particular development does not require planning permission (and would thereby constitute ‘permitted development’) however you wish to gain formal confirmation/agreement from the Council of this, you should submit a ‘certificate of lawfulness’ application, again, via the Planning Portal website.


Requests for an appointment should be made to the Planning Department via the Contact Centre on 0161 342 8355 (selecting option 4).  You will be asked to provide the following information:
 

• Your name and contact number;
• The address or site location to which the queries relate;
• The nature of the general enquiry you have; 

Planning Service Telephone Enquiries (0161 342 8355 - Option 4)
 Tameside MBC’s Planning Technical Support Team are available to take your calls during the following times periods:
 Monday – 9:00am – 1:00pm
 Tuesday – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
 Wednesday – 9:00am – 1:00pm
 Thursday – 9:00am – 1:00pm
 Friday – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
  
You can also contact us via email at  planningmail@tameside.gov.uk outside of these hours.

Unless you are advised that the nature of your enquiry is one that is not suitable for this service you will be provided with the next available appointment slot.  

If you have an enquiry about a specific application (i.e. applications for planning permission, advertisement consent and listed building consent etc.) please visit the planning public access website here Simple Search for further information.    If you require additional advice, you should contact the case officer dealing with it.  This can be done by calling the Planning Department via the Contact Centre on 0161 342 8355 (selecting option 4) or emailing planningmail@tameside.gov.uk providing the application reference number or address.
 
 Any advice given by Council officers for pre-application/duty planning enquiries does not constitute a formal response or decision of the Council with regard to future planning consents. Any views or opinions expressed are given in good faith and to the best of ability but without prejudice to the formal consideration of any planning application, which is likely to be subject to public consultation and ultimately decided by the Council. You should therefore be aware that officers cannot give guarantees about the final form or decision that will be made on your planning or related applications.