New requirements for making planning applications
The law relating to planning applications changed in August 2006
affecting the way that planning and listed building applications
are made. Applications have to be properly made out in accordance
with the legislation if they are to be registered by the local
planning authority.
In brief the main changes are:
- Outline planning applications must be submitted on forms which
use the new terminology for the various 'reserved matters'. The
minimum amount of information required with outline applications is
significantly increased – see paragraph 52 of
DCLG Circular 01/2006 (new window PDF
553KB).
- Outline and full planning applications must be accompanied by a
design and access statement in the prescribed form, unless the
application is for engineering works, alterations or extensions to
a dwelling house that is outside a conservation area or other
designated area or a material change of use.
- Listed building consent applications must be accompanied by a
design and access statement.
The amended law lays down very specific requirements for
the content of design and access statements – see section 3 of the
DCLG Circular 01/2006 (new window PDF
553KB) for more information. Applications that
do not fully comply with these legal requirements are not valid
and therefore cannot be registered.
A practical
guide to design and access statements (new
window) is available for download from the Commission for
Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) website.
How to apply
From 6 April 2008 planning applications have to be made on the
new National Standard Planning Application Forms (1APP) which
replace all existing types of planning application forms (except
minerals) in England.
Thereafter, applications submitted on the old-style application
forms will not be accepted by local planning authorities.
1APP has been primarily designed for
electronic applications and is available online for
applications to Suffolk Coastal via
the Planning Portal (new window).
If you wish to make a paper application you can download or
print off the new 1APP forms by following the link below. The
forms are also available for collection in person from the
Council's offices or by post on request.
To accompany the introduction of the new forms, the Government
has also introduced
new validation requirements. Before making a
planning application, by whatever means, you will need to check
your submission includes all the information necessary for the
application to be validated.
The new forms are accompanied by guidance notes to help you
provide the correct information and appropriate plans with your
application. If you need any help please contact us.
You can
buy location and site plans online (new window),
either as paper copies that are posted to you or in a choice of
file formats which can be emailed to you.
Planning application fees
Every application must be accompanied by the correct fee. The
Government sets the planning application fees that apply across the
country. The fee for a domestic extension planning application will
normally be £150. There is no fee for a listed building
consent.
Larger scale applications attract higher fees, reflecting the
additional work involved, the maximum fee for a major development
of houses is £250,000.
Follow this link to see a list
of planning application fees (new window PDF
47KB).
Making an online application
Suffolk Coastal encourages the electronic submission of planning
applications via the Planning Portal (new window).
Once you have completed your online application, you can submit
it to Suffolk Coastal electronically or print it off and send it to
us by post. You can also use the online service to produce a site
location plan to accompany your application. To make an online
application you'll need to register with the Planning
Portal.
On receipt of your application we will determine whether it is
valid based upon the information submitted. Applications are
checked to ensure appropriate information and documentation has
been received to enable us to make a determination of the proposal.
If we decide that the application is invalid, we will contact you
and ask you to supply further information.
The Planning Portal also provides comprehensive information
about planning permission, making an application, the planning
system and has answers to frequently asked questions.
It is still a good idea to contact us for informal advice
about whether planning permission is required, or the likelihood of
obtaining planning permission. Our contact details are at the
bottom of this page.
How long does it take?
Suffolk Coastal aims to determine the majority of
straightforward applications within eight weeks and the majority of
more complicated applications within 13 weeks. You can contact us
to find out how long to expect the planning application
process to take (our contact details are at the bottom of
this page). You can also
monitor the progress of your application online (new
window).
How applications are processed
Planning applications will be judged against
Local Plan and
Structure Plan policy,
Supplementary Planning Guidance, Government
advice and on their development control merits. A domestic
extension, for example, will be judged having regard to
the policies mentioned above and on its impact in the
street scene, its design and any effect upon neighbouring
residential amenity such as overlooking, overshadowing or an
overbearing impact. Listed building consent will be judged on
the impact the proposal may have upon the character of the
listed building.
The majority of applications are determined by the
Head of
Planning Services under delegated powers set out in the
Scheme of Delegation (new window PDF 54KB).
The final decision on an application will be sent to applicants
promptly together with any conditions attached to the permission
or reasons for its refusal. If permission is refused, the
applicant’s right of appeal against this decision will be
explained.
Development Control Sub-Committees
About 15% of planning
applications are determined by the two area Development
Control Sub-Committees. Applications are normally reported to
the sub-committees if there are local objections or representations
made by the ward councillor.
Follow this link
for details of the
applications being considered at the next
Development Control Sub-Commitee meetings. If you wish to object
to, or support an application, you may speak at the Development
Control Sub-Committee meeting considering the application. To find
out more please read our leaflet
Having your say on planning applications (new
window PDF 43KB) which describes the procedure in
detail.
Informal advice and getting in touch
Informal advice about whether planning permission is required,
or the likelihood of obtaining planning permission, can be obtained
by telephone, letter, email or by calling at the
Planning Helpdesk in
reception at our Woodbridge offices where a duty
officer is available every weekday, including basic lunchtime
cover.
To contact the Planning Helpdesk call
01394 444403 / 444423 / 444428 or email
d.c.admin@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Our fax number is 01394 385100.
If you require an informal opinion as to whether a proposal is
likely to be acceptable you may wish to forward a letter, sketch
plans and photographs of the site and its context for
consideration.
If it appears that planning permission for a proposal is not
required, we recommend that a letter and rough, dimensioned, sketch
be forwarded to the Head of Planning Services at the address below
so that a double check can be made and a more formal response
given.
Owners of residential property can download, print and complete
our
householder alterations form (new window PDF
26KB) to get an informal opinion as to whether planning
permission is needed or not.
Head of Planning Services
Suffolk Coastal District Council
Melton Hill
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 1AU
What you can expect from us
We aim to reply to written enquiries within 28 days. Some
enquiries may be dealt with more quickly if they are
straightforward although some may take a little longer if, for
example, additional research, consultation or a site visit is
required. Follow this link
to find out about the service you can expect
when we deal with planning applications and the standards we work
to.
We would also welcome any comments about the way we provide our
planning service and any suggestions on how we can further improve
our service. You can email your comments to
d.c.admin@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
or write to the Head of Planning Services at the address above.
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