Development Control Customer Charter

Making the Decision

Approved January 2006

The Council will strive to achieve the government targets to determine planning application in the following time scales:

• 60% of major applications within 13 weeks
• 65% of minor applications within 8 weeks
• 80% of other applications within 8 weeks

Once the decision has been made on the application the decision notice will be sent to the applicant on the same or following day. Any conditions attached to permission will be set out clearly and reasons for approval or refusal of planning permission will be explained.

Some decisions may not be made until the applicant or other relevant parties have entered into a planning legal agreement. Where a legal agreement is required, the applicant will be informed at the earliest opportunity so that negotiations and the form and content of the agreement can be progressed alongside the planning application process. The cost of the legal and administrative work involved in the preparation of such an agreement is payable by the applicant.

Where an application is refused planning permission, details of the applicant's rights of appeal will be given with the decision. The applicant will however be encouraged to discuss the refusal with the Council in order to establish whether a revised application would be likely to lead to a favourable decision.

In all cases decisions on planning applications will be based on the planning merits of the case in terms of Development Plan policy, national guidance and other material considerations. Applications will only be refused where there are valid and sustainable planning grounds for doing so.