Development Control
Introduction
Development Control is
responsible for the determination and monitoring of planning
applications, and other associated applications (listed building
consent, advertisement consent etc) submitted to the Council under
the Planning Acts.
Development Control is part
of the Councils Regulatory Services Team, which includes Building
Control, Environmental Health, Planning Enforcement, Licensing
and Conservation. A guide to the work of the
Regulatory Services Team can be downloaded here.
Most building work, engineering work and use
of land requires planning permission. Planning is defined as "the
control of the use of land in the public interest". Public interest
is a matter of some contention, and can often extend far beyond the
locality of a proposal onto a regional, national or even
international basis. It is significant to bear this in mind in
dealing with any aspect of the planning system - from strategic
level plans to individual planning applications -as it influences
the way the Council considers the issues and the matters that can
be taken into account.
It is also important because often the issues
raised by the public (especially in the context of planning
applications) frequently relate to private issues in respect of
which the planning system has very little remit. Central Government
has set out what it regards as matters of public interest in its
policy document providing an overview of the planning system -
Planning Policy Statement 1 and the associated guide,
General Principles. This document also re-iterates the purpose
of the system in operating in the public interest and points out
that, on occasion, public interests may co-incide with private
interests. It summarizes the principle as follows:- "The basic
question is not whether owners or occupiers of neighbouring
properties would experience financial or other loss from a
particular development, but whether the proposal would unacceptably
affect amenities and the existing use of land and buildings which
ought to be protected in the public interest."
Delivery of the Objectives
The objectives explained above are pursued at
local level through the Development Plan. Various requirements within
the system ensure that these plans are compatible with one-another
and with Government policy.
In respect of planning applications, there is
a legal requirement that the decisions taken by the relevant
Council must follow the content of the plans unless factors exist
in the particular case which indicate it would be inappropriate.
Within this framework, therefore, the content of the Structure and
Local Plans is of critical importance and is usually the most
influential factor behind decisions made.
However, the Planning System is going through
a period of change and new plans, at Regional Level and at local
level (The Melton Local
Development Framework (MLDF)) are under preparation and
have reached a stage where they have an influence. Indeed, the
MLDF 'Core Strategy
Preferred Options' has now reached a stage where its
content is considered to have greater significance that the Local
plan that it will ultimately replace, and is a material
consideration when determining any current application.
Other matters
Development Control is also responsible for
the administration and management of matters relating to trees
covered by Tree Preservation Orders and trees in Conservation
Areas, applications for listed
building consent, advertisement consent, conservation
area consent and the enforcement of planning control. Further details
of these activities can be found on the A - Z search under these
titles. Planning Officers are available to offer advice and
guidance if you are proposing to submit an application.
Viewing and commenting on Planning Applications
Planning application details, including the
submitted plans and associated documents, decision notices, appeal
decisions etc are available via the following link: view planning
applications. This link allow access to all applications
submitted to Melton BC since 1990 and the documents for all those
submitted after 1st January 2008.
Applying for Permission
The Council encourages applicants to discuss
their proposals before submitting an application. This will assist
in ensuring that all of the documents and information required is
submiteed to allow the application to be considered. We will also
be able to explain what factors affect the consideration of the
application and explain more about procedures and
timetables.
Application Forms
Forms to make an applications and guidance
notes for completion are available from the 'Planning Application Forms
and Guidance' section of this website.
Determination of Planning Applications
Planning applications can be determined in two ways, under
officer delegation or by the Development Committee. Under officer
delegation, the case office appraises the application, taking into
consideration all appicable Development Plan policies and local and
national guidance. This report is considered by the case
officer's line manager for determination.
Development Committee
Alternatively, the application may be considered by the
Council's Development Committee. Applications can be determined by
the Committee for a number of reasons, where
there has been objections to the application from at
least 5 separate households or by a petition with more than 10
signatures, where the recommendation is contrary
to development plan policies, where it is called in by the
local Councillor on specific planning reasons or where it is
required to be considered due to extraordinary reasons.
To view the Development Committee agendas please click
on the link.
Conditions
It is now a requirement when submitting
details in discharge of conditions that a fee is now payable. For
more information, please see the conditions section of this website.
Planning Advice
The development control/planning regime can be a complex and
difficult to understand. The Royal Town Planning Institute's
Planning Aid service may be able to advise on your particular
planning matter.
You can call one of Planning Aid England's advice lines for
independent advice on planning issues. They give some advice
to all callers. If you meet their eligibility criteria you may
be given extra help by one of their professional planning
staff or volunteers.
If you wish to know more, follow the link to their website,
http://www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk/
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