Development Control Customer Charter

Pre- Application Discussions

Approved January 2006

As said earlier, we welcome pre-application discussions. If a pre-application discussion is about a proposal for a large or complex major development, we will bring together a number of relevant officers from other sections or departments of the Council, to seek their views. This will ensure that all the key issues can be identified at the outset and enable any advice given at this stage to be incorporated into a formally submitted planning application. The aim is also to avoid any unnecessary delay.

However we will reject requests for pre-application discussions or advice where a prospective developer has ignored advice previously given on the same site.

Where a developer fails to incorporate advice given at the pre- application stage into a formal planning proposal, the Council will normally be recommended to refuse planning permission without further negotiation.

Any advice given will be accurate and objective but will be without prejudice to the formal consideration of an application.

From time to time information may come to light after advice has been given that warrants a change of stance towards a particular development proposal. It may also be necessary to revise advice following guidance subsequently received from a more senior officer. However we will seek to minimise the number of such instances and in all cases will inform the recipients of the advice as soon as possible.

Information will be given about relevant national and local planning policies and their status; previous relevant decisions and the Council's requirements in relation to factors such as car parking and design standards. Advice will be given, where known, of any other approval or consents that may be necessary.

Copies of the Council's policies on common types of development and other relevant documents will be made available free of charge as will general leaflets on the Development Control system, Council procedures and dates of forthcoming Planning Committee meetings. These notes are also available on the Council's web site.

Whilst the above common points apply to all our customers, particular regard will be given to the need for flexibility and understanding when dealing with people or groups with special needs, including those of the physically disabled, and ethnic minorities. Development Control publications are available in large print or in languages other than English, on request.