Making a planning application

Local validation list update

Please note the latest version of our local list for validation of applications was adopted on 3 January 2024. This will be used by our case officers for validating planning applications we receive.

Planning applications for building, extending or converting homes, offices or shops are handled by borough and district councils

We, Surrey County Council, only deal with applications for minerals or waste-related developments, and for developments to its own property, such as schools and libraries (known as Reg 3 applications).

The applications we handle are often larger and more complex than most domestic (householder) or commercial applications. We, therefore, encourage all applicants to enter into pre-application discussions prior to making an application.

To make a planning application for minerals, waste or county council development (Reg 3) to us you will need to complete and submit the appropriate form. Applications and accompanying documents can be sent to us by email (mwcd@surreycc.gov.uk), by post on DVD or USB memory stick or hard copy (not recommended).

Waste and Reg3 (but not mineral-related) applications can also be made direct to us or via the Planning Portal.

If you are using the Planning Portal, they currently will not accept the macro-enabled Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric tool to be uploaded. You must email the the macro-enabled BNG metric tool separately to mwcd@surreycc.gov.uk.

If you provide documents electronically please keep each file below 10Mb and ensure all documents are in unlocked format - not secured with a password.

Download links from cloud storage or file sharing sites can be problematic due to our IT security measures. Generally, Microsoft OneDrive and Egress work, but we may have difficulty with other services. Contact us to check or test in advance of sending files in this way. We cannot acknowledge applications as received until we have successfully downloaded and processed the accompanying documents.

Application documents (in DVD or USB memory stick and hard copy format) and cheques submitted by post should be sent to:

Planning Development Team,
Quadrant Court,
35 Guildford Road,
Woking
GU22 7QQ

We strongly recommend that you use our local list for validation for your type of application and the help and guidance notes on making planning applications for minerals related development. This enables you to make sure you have submitted all the information needed for us to consider your application.

Please note an application cannot be considered valid until the appropriate fee has been paid. This can be done via the Planning Portal, internal transfer (for Reg 3 applications), cheque or pay online.

Find out what happens after an application is received.


In this section

Subscribe to our newsletters for latest news and events.