How long does it typically take to hear from the planning authority?

[cowboy25]

I sent off for a pre application about two months ago now and apart from an automated email response I have not heard anything. How long could it take to hear back from my local planning authority? I'm not desperate to hear from them or anything but I'm just curious, could it take a year or so, a few more months, any idea? Its sort of important as I am building a Shepherds hut and if planning is denied I will alter the design of the hut somewhat to take account of this so I will need to know before long. 

[Daniel H]

iirc there are no statutory limits placed on planning departments, so they can take as long as they want. They might have set themselves a local ambition. Give them a call and ask - there's no harm.

[Bancroft]

If you've paid for a Pre-App they should have indicated how long it would take.  Nevertheless, if it's been over two months than I would certainly be on the phone to them to try and track down what's happening.

 

Planning departments are notoriously slow and unhelpful in most cases, and seem to try their best to be uncontactable.

 

if you're not getting anywhere with them I've found the best thing to do is call up and ask how you register a complaint about the planning department.  That seems to energise them.

 

Not the way it should be done but it's worked for me twice where everything else failed.