Submitting a Planning Application
Making a planning application
If you haven't already, you'll need to register with the Planning Portal for a planning application account before being able to make a planning application.
If you have already registered on the Planning Portal, you can begin an application after you have logged in.
Alternatively, you can apply online via an independent submission service such as, for example, UK Planning Gateway and Planda Portal.
Please note the council does not promote any specific submission service, so you will need to choose which service provider works best for you when submitting an application to the council.
A planning application cannot be progressed until all the necessary supporting information and the appropriate fee is received by us. If we do not receive all the relevant information and the correct fee, your application will be made invalid, and we will write to you.
Applying online
Registering on any online submission service is easy, and you can complete your application form, upload supporting documents and pay fees via this service.
The simplest way to submit a planning application is via a submission service where you can also:
- work on your application in draft before submitting it to us;
- receive immediate delivery and acknowledgement;
- make savings on postage and printing costs;
- find an online help function when completing applications; and
- have an online record of your completed applications.
Email or paper submission of applications
If you wish to submit your application directly to Stevenage Borough Council, either by email to planning@stevenage.gov.uk or in paper format, from 1 January 2026 the council will be introducing a service charge of £120 (including VAT) to process these applications.
Please note that this service charge is in addition to the planning fee you will have to pay as part of any application submission you make to the council.
The income generated from the service charge whilst covering our costs to process and validate your application, will help to invest in improving our services which includes digitising our records and making our service more interactive, help with the financial pressures which are facing the planning department as well help us to continue to provide you with a service.
The Planning Portal
As well as being able to make planning applications, the Planning Portal provides information, guidance and answers to common questions.
- How does the planning system work?
- Will I need planning permission?
- How do I make a planning application?
- How much does a planning application cost?
- What is the planning decision process?
- How do I make a representation?
- Where can I put my satellite dish?
- Online volume calculator
You can email the Planning Portal directly by using, support@planningportal.gsi.gov.uk
Site location plans
An Ordnance Survey (OS) site location plan must be submitted with all applications.
Copies of OS plans are currently available from:
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies and Welwyn Garden City Library Information Service can print the latest OS maps which can be used in your planning application and you can also buy historic maps for a particular site.
Hertfordshire County Council can provide Ordnance Survey maps for planning applications.
Plans
It is important that you provide accurate drawings with sufficient details to illustrate your proposal to us and the public. These must be to a recognisable scale. The requirements for what must be submitted are set out in the National Planning Practice Guidance Notes.
Planning application fees and how to pay
There are different fees you have to pay depending on the type of application you are submitting to us.
To find out how much your planning application will cost, you can use the Guide to Planning Fees prepared by the Planning Portal.
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Fee calculator
You can also use the Fee Calculator on the Planning Portal website.
Volume calculator
If you wish to calculate volume, you can use the Volume Calculator on the Planning Portal website.