FOI release

Direct Planning Applications to the Planning Department

Case reference FOI2026/01510

Received 13 September 2026

Published 25 September 2026

Request

In light of the increased fees by the Planning Portal, which we understand to be a private company now, we are not aware of any legislation that prevents us submitting applications directly via consultants or as individuals. I am trying to understand the methods allowed by your planning department according to any internal rules or guidance that you might hold. I am not looking for any planning advice in this request, merely your policies as determined by your planning department. In light of this, please can you advise me as to whether we can submit a planning applications or prior approval requests directly to the local authority in accordance with the relevant legislation as laid down by the government. Please advise as to whether any forms are acceptable, provided they contain the same information as contained in forms supplied by the Planning Portal or via forms that contain your local authority branding as hosted by the Planning Portal. Please advise as to which email address the forms should be submitted. Please also advise as to how payment should be made to the local authority for the correct fee. Finally please advise on any additional fee to submit directly and the reasons for this fee.

Response

Please advise as to whether any forms are acceptable, provided they contain the same information as contained in forms supplied by the Planning Portal or via forms that contain your local authority branding as hosted by the Planning Portal.
See information provided below

Please advise as to which email address the forms should be submitted.

Applications can be submitted directly to us using the downloadable TWBC branded forms from the Planning Portal via email to Planning@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
Please note, this is a slower process due to the team having to create the application and upload all documents manually and due to the way we need to receive payment does delay validation by 3-5 working days.

 

Please also advise as to how payment should be made to the local authority for the correct fee.
Once submitted we will send an invalid letter detailing the payment amount and how it can be paid (it is not possible before as we need a planning application reference generated by our system to use as the payment reference)

Finally please advise on any additional fee to submit directly and the reasons for this fee.

There are no additional fees paid to us other than the fee for the planning application.

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.