1. Do I need planning permission? 2. Can I come in and discuss a proposal with a Planning Officer?
3. How long does the application process take?
4. Where can I get Ordnance Survey maps from?
5. Can I obtain copies of the plans?
6. Can I speak to the Planning Officer dealing with my application?
7. How can I view details of the application?
8. How long do I have to comment/object?
9. When are the committee meetings held and can I attend/speak?
10. If my application is refused, can I appeal?
11. Can I find out the location of my boundaries and who owns a parcel of land?
12. Can I obtain a copy of a decision notice?
13. Where can I view the 2001 Census?
14.Do I need a transport assessment with my application?
15. Can I arrange a site meeting to discuss a new proposal?
16.Can you recommend any architects or planning consultants?
1. Do I need planning permission?
If you are in doubt as to whether planning permission is required or not, it is best to contact the Planning Helpdesk on 01284 757675 for advice. A booklet is available 'Planning ? " A Guide for Householders' is a publication that details the permitted development rights for domestic developments such as whether you need planning permission or not.
2. Can I come in and discuss a proposal with a planning officer?
We do not recommend cold calling at the office to discuss a planning proposal. Meetings with an officer are better booked once details of the proposal have been submitted to the Planning Helpdesk and allocated to an officer. The officer will then contact you to arrange an appointment if this is considered to be helpful and necessary. This allows us to check the history of a site and identify any relevant planning policies before any meeting to ensure that the advice you are given is both accurate and informed. Also, because site history can take some time to research, it is helpful for us to have information and illustrations of your proposals in advance of any meeting. Please be aware that an opinion by an officer on whether or not a proposal is likely to be acceptable is not binding as other issues may come to light or objections may be received following processing of a formal application.
3. How long does the application process take?
For domestic applications the normal response is four to six weeks. Commercial applications, due to their complex nature may take a little longer. In any event the Authority will endeavor to determine all applications within eight weeks. Most applications can be dealt with under the council's Scheme of Delegation. Some applications have to be reported to the Development Control Committee which meets once a month.
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4. Where can I get Ordnance Survey maps from?
Our Ordnance Survey licence only permits us to sell site location plans that are to be submitted as part of a Planning Application. The charge for four site plans for a planning application is £23.00. Ordnance Survey maps are, however, available from other organisations.
5. Can I obtain copies of the plans?
Yes: as long as the application is still awaiting determination and the copies are only purchased to assist you in submitting comments. Once the application has been determined you will need written consent from the party who originally submitted the plans. The borough council will make a charge for any copying that it has to carry out.
6. Can I speak to the Planning Officer dealing with my application?
Yes the officer's name and direct dial telephone number are on all correspondence sent out.
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7. How can I view details of the application?
A copy of the planning application is available to view at Planning Helpdesk during opening hours, Monday to Thursdays 9am-5pm and Fridays 9am-4pm. All planning applications received from January 2006 are available to view online from our Online Planning and building Control page. If you are experiencing problems or need help to view an application online please see our guidance notes (PDF 465Kb).
8. How long do I have to comment/object?
You have 21 days from the date of registration of the application to submit your written comments to the Planning Department.
9. When are the committee meetings held and can I attend/speak?
The Development Control (Planning) Committee meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month. Dates of other meetings can be found by clicking on the Planning Committee dates 'more information' on the Planning Home Page. They are public meetings that anyone can attend. Those wishing to make representations will need to register before the meeting starts. A leaflet Your right to speak at the Development Control meeting (PDF 743Kb) is available. You canto view committee agendas and see recommendations being made on applications that will be considered by the Development Control Committee. Agenda papers will be on the websitefive days before the meeting.
10. If my application is refused, can I appeal?
Yes, you have six months from the date of issue of the decision notice to appeal against a refusal. Forms can be obtained online via the Planning Inspectorate or by writing to:
Department for Communities and Local Government The Planning Inspectorate Room 3/24 Hawk Wing Temple Quay House 2 The Square Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6PN.
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11. Can I find out the location of my boundaries and who owns a parcel of land?
The council does not keep land ownership records and has no power to rule where there are boundary disputes, this is a legal matter. Land ownership records are held at HM Land Registry at Earle House, Portland Street, Kingston-upon-Hull, Humberside HU2 8JN.
12. Can I obtain a copy of a decision notice?
Yes, there is a charge of £7.50 per consent but copies of all decisions on applications received since January 2006 are on the website within the Online Planning - application details.
13. Where can I view the 2001 Census?
See our 2001 Census page.
14. Do I need a transport assessment (PDF 101Kb) with my application?
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15. Can I arrange a site meeting to discuss a new proposal?
The Council is very pleased to be able to offer pre-application advice. However to ensure that you, the customer, receive the best quality advice and ensure that staffing resources are used in the most effective manner we would ask that you first submit details in writing either by post, or by completing the enquiry form on our website. Planning matters can be very complex and it is important to be able to research the planning history of any site and to ascertain what the relevant policies of the Development Plan are before being able to offer any opinion. Officers will only be able to comment on the acceptability of a proposal and will not be able to offer advice on what is possible on a site. The more information you provide the more detailed and informed the officer response will be. From this information officers will carry out a desk top appraisal of your proposal and respond in writing. If appropriate a meeting in the office may be arranged to discuss and in some exceptional circumstances an officer may arrange a visit to become familiar with a site and its surroundings. A visit to a site is always made by the case officer when an application has been submitted for formal determination
16. Can you recommend any architects or planning consultants?
We regret that it is not appropriate for the Council to recommend any business or individual. Details of local architects, surveyors and planning consultants are available from the local phone books and directories and from
the RTPI at http://www.rtpiconsultants.com/index.php
the RIBA at http://ribafind.org
or the RICS at http://www.rics.org/Services/Findasurveyor
