Once you have established that planning permission is required, you will need to submit a planning application.
Owing to the Council's policy of advertising all applications in the local paper and on site and the need to carry out certain statutory consultations, it will take a minimum of four to five weeks to process and determine an application, but often eight weeks or longer if the matter has to be referred to the Planning Committee - so apply early. Remember too, that whilst the majority (88%) of applications are given permission yours may be refused, and you should allow for that possibility in any calculations.
Forms and all supporting documents may be obtained from this website or the Planning Office. (There is no charge for the forms). Fill in all the relevant parts of the forms and remember to sign and date them.
You can now also apply online through the Planning Portal - www.planningportal.gov.uk
Submit the correct number (a minimum of five) and type of supporting plans. Each application should be accompanied by site plans at a scale of not less than 1:2500 and, where appropriate, detailed plans, sections and elevations of not less than 1:100 scale.
The District Council can no longer supply you directly with Ordnance Survey plans. You can purchase them at Get Mapping or from other Ordnance Survey Mapping and Data Centres, a list can be found at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk.
If an application is complicated then a clear concise statement to explain the background and the proposal is always useful. Plans should be numbered and dated for identification.
Pay the correct statutory fee 
a list of fees is available here
(this is a pdf document)
It is most important that you complete the relevant Certificate relating to land ownership. There are different certificates depending on whether you are the sole owner of all the land concerned if other owners are involved or if you cannot trace the owners. You can apply for permission to develop someone else's land, but only if you have completed the correct form. Even if you have been given planning permission, you will still require the owner's consent to undertake the development.
Whilst you can apply for planning permission yourself it is often advisable to pay an architect, surveyor, or similarly qualified person to act on your behalf. He or she will, as your agent, prepare the plans, carry out the technical work for you and submit covering information as necessary.
E-mail: developmentcontrol@dover.gov.uk
