Apply for planning permission

Make your application

You can apply and pay online:

The Planning Portal will guide you all the way through the process. If you need further help, visit the Planning Portal Help Centre.

Check what documents you need to include in your application.

If you’d rather apply directly to Walsall Council you’ll need to:

• download the application forms from the Planning Portal
• send your completed forms and supporting documents to us by email
• pay the fee

What happens next

Validation

We will consider if your application can be accepted as valid. If not, we'll tell you what you need to do. We can't make a decision on an invalid application.

Consultation and published notices

The publicity requirements for valid applications depend on the type of application, and the location. 

For example, we may write to your neighbours to tell them about your application. We may also ask for comments from specialist consultees. Where required, we’ll publish a notice in the local newspaper, and may display a notice near the site.

We’ll also publish the application and decision online.

We will:

• allow anyone to comment on your application. Find out more about statement of community involvement
• publish consultee comments online – this will help you understand any issues they raise
• consider all the comments that we receive about your application

Site visit

The planning officer will visit the application site to make an inspection. They will gather site information and take photographs.

Assessment and recommendation

The planning officer will:

• make a recommendation on the application
• consider relevant planning policies and guidance
• take into account any responses we've received about the application

When we’ll make a decision

We will make a decision on valid planning applications:

• within 8 weeks for household and non-major applications
• within 13 weeks for major applications
• within 16 weeks for an application that's accompanied by an environmental impact assessment

Most applications are delegated to officers to make a decision. We will take the application to a planning committee if required.

We will publish the decision online in our weekly list.

Appeal a decision

If you're the person who submitted the application and you disagree with our decision, you have the right to appeal. This should be a last resort, as it can be a lengthy and costly process.

You can:

• find out more about appeals on the government website
• make an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate

We offer a pre-application service, which will help you to overcome the reasons for refusal.