You can apply for planning permission and a range of other consents online through the Planning Portal from the link below.

Apply for planning permission

The online process guides you through applications with help available at each stage. You can save your work and break away at any time. As soon as you submit an online application you get a reference number and we receive an email notifying us so that we can begin to process it.

You will be guided through the screens step by step to ensure you select the correct application form. 

Please refer to our validation list for relevant information required as part of your planning submission.  In addition, we now also require scale bars to be provided on all drawings for each scale shown on the plans.  Without this information on the drawings we are unable to validate your application and this may delay your application being processed.

Changes to the Validation List

Sandwell Council have prepared a revised draft validation list to assist applicants with relevant information that is now required for the submission of planning applications.

You can view the revised draft validation list here.

We shall be consulting for a 6 week period from 27th February 2023 until 9th April 2023.  If you would like to comment on the revised list, please email planning_policy@sandwell.gov.uk and title your response 'Draft Validation List'.

You can view the relevant privacy notice in relation to how we we will use your personal information which is held against your application.

Planning Pre-application Advice

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council charges for planning pre-application enquiries following approval of the Council on 26th June 2019.  See the guide and advice form for anyone who wants to know if they are likely to get planning permission before they submit a formal planning application.  We will assist with submissions and provide general advice but a response will only be given if a pre-application form is submitted and the relevant fee paid.

Fees and charges

Different types of planning applications have different charges. You can find out how much your application will cost by using the the Planning Portal fee calculator.

If you need further advice you may contact us on our generic email planning@sandwell.gov.uk which is monitored daily but can take up to 10 working days for a response.

You can also contact our Planning and Building Control Customer Service Advisors on:-

0121 569 4054.  Please bear with us as we can experience a high demand in calls.