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A new era dawned on 10th August 2006 when further reforms to the planning system were implemented. These are of particular interest to those of you who may be considering submitting planning applications. Our Planning Department (01223 271985) will be happy to offer further advice.

Outline planning applications

Gone are the days when one could simply draw a red line round the site and state that you wanted permission for “residential development” or “commercial uses”. Outline applications now have to demonstrate that the proposals have been properly considered in the light of relevant policies and the site’s constraints and opportunities.

As a minimum, therefore, applications must include information on:
  • Use – the use or uses proposed for the development;
  • Amount of development – the amount of development proposed for each use; Indicative layout – showing separate development zones where appropriate;
  • Scale parameters – an indication of the upper and lower limits for height, width and length of each building;
  • Indicative access points – the area or areas in which the access point(s) will be situated.
Design and access statements

A statement covering design concepts and principles and access issues now has to be submitted with applications for planning permission and listed building consent.

They are required for all planning applications, except for:
  • a material change in the use of land or buildings, unless it also involves operational development;
  • engineering or mining operations;
  • development of an existing dwelling house, or development within the curtilage of a dwelling house, unless it affects a National Park, site of special scientific interest, conservation area, area of outstanding natural beauty, World Heritage Site or the Broads.
Design and access statements are not required for applications relating to advertisement control, tree preservation orders or storage of hazardous substances.

Design and access statements have to:
  • Assess the setting of the site and relevant planning policies;
  • Describe how the community and other bodies have been involved in the scheme;
  • Evaluate opportunites, constraints and design principles;
  • Show how the design has been developed;
  • Demonstrate that access is inclusive.
The level of detail required in a design and access statement will depend on the scale and complexity of the application.

Taken together, these changes will inevitably increase the cost and timescale for preparing planning applications. The government view is that the quality of proposals will be improved.