The Council's Planning Services Section is responsible for a wide range of matters relating to the development of land and buildings in the Borough, including:
It implements, in relation to the Borough, national legislation and advice relating to town and country planning, listed buildings and conservation areas.
The Council aims to provide a planning service which is helpful and accessible to all, including the disabled, whether by face to face contact, letter, telephone, fax or e-mail. Front line staff are trained to deal with most enquiries, and planning officers are available to assist where additional professional advice is appropriate. However, please make an appointment if you want to speak to an individual officer.
The main work of the section is considering, and making recommendations on, a wide range of applications, including applications for:
- planning permission;
- approval of reserved matters on outline planning permissions;
- discharge of conditions attached to planning permissions;
- Advertisement Regulations consent;
- Demolition consent;
- hedgerow removal notice;
- works to trees covered by Tree Preservation Order;
- Listed Building consent;
- Conservation Area consent;
- hazardous substances consent;
- prior determinations in respect of development for agricultural purposes;
- prior determinations in respect of proposed demolitions;
- prior determination in respect of telecommunications development;
- Certificate of Lawfulness for existing and proposed developments.
A number of notifications or consultations is also considered, including:
- notification of works on trees in Conservation Areas;
- consultations on proposed developments in adjacent or nearby areas which might impact on the Borough;
- consultations on proposed overhead electricity lines.
Aside from town and country planning matters, the Planning Services Section is also responsible for:
- the coordination of major development projects and schemes in which different departments and outside agents are involved;
- Ordnance Survey mapping.
Please note that planning team's responsibilities do not include Building Control, Countryside & Rights of Way, Transport Policy or Economic Regeneration. These are dealt with elsewhere by other teams within the authority.
SEE: The Planning Team | Who to Contact