Submit an application

How to submit and pay for planning applications in County Durham.

Need help calculating your fees? The Planning Portal: fee calculator can help you by working out the cost of any particular planning application.

You must pay the fee when you submit your application. Your application will not be processed until we have received the correct fee.

Submit a planning application online

You can submit your planning application online by registering with the Planning Portal:

Apply for planning permission via Planning Portal

Benefits of applying online

More than 60% of all planning applications are now made online.

It's quick, easy to use and available 24/7.
Complete your application form, upload supporting documents and pay for your fees all in one place.
Work on your applications in draft before submission.
Receive immediate delivery and acknowledgement of your application.
Save on postage and printing costs.
Have an online record of your completed applications.

What do you need to submit with your application?

General advice about what to submit with your application can be found on the Planning Portal website. In addition, we've also set out some specific documentation which will be required for applications submitted in the County Durham area in our Icon for pdf validation checklist (PDF, 635.2kb) .

Nutrient Neutrality

In March 2022 the Government's advisor on the natural environment, Natural England, advised us that parts of the south of the County (that sit within the River Tees catchment area), have been subject to a 'Nutrient Neutrality' notification (Nutrient Neutrality and the planning system, Local Government Association). This notification will have major implications on our ability to determine many forms of planning application in this area, including housing and overnight accommodation proposals. Before making an application which you feel may have Nutrient Neutrality implications, you are advised to ask for appropriate advice.