The planning team operates within the Regeneration Division of the Chief Executive's Department, based at the Town Hall, Darlington. A new revised organisational structure will soon come into effect. Currently, the basic team consists of approximately 30 staff, headed by Planning Services Manager, Steve Petch.
Development Control
Headed by Principal Planning Officer, Dave Coates, this group primarily deals with planning applications and various aspects of planning control, including enforcement.
Planning Policy
Currently headed by Principal Planning Officer, Graham Farr, this group is mainly occupied with providing advice on planning policy matters, production of the Local Development Framework and other planning policy documents such as the Local Plan.
Specialist Support, etc.
A third team based within the Planning Services Section deals with design, conservation, project management, technical support, mapping & GIS.
Elsewhere within the authority, there are staff who are consulted regularly to provide expertise on matters such as planning law and highways safety.
Administrative Support
A team of administration staff is dedicated primarily to planning. Its duties include dealing with enquiries and processing planning applications.
There is also a reception desk designated to planning in the new Customer Service Centre in the Town Hall.
A Call Centre has been set up to deal with telephone enquiries on behalf of all Darlington Borough Council departments, to encompass all of its services, including planning.
See: Who to Contact | Visiting Us | Duty Officer