Building Advice: Should I seek a pre-planning meeting with the council?

It's not essential but a pre-planning meeting can put you on the right track

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Hi Kieran 

My partner and I are just about to start the design process of our new home with an architect. It is very exciting but we are nervous about the next steps which will of course be lodging for planning permission. My question for you is should we do a pre-planning meeting and at what stage should we do this?