Pre-Application Enquiry Application Validation Michael McClelland - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Pre-Application Enquiry Application Validation

Michael McClelland Development Management South Ayrshire Council

Pre-Application Enquiry

WHY?

• Provides greater certainty of outcome; before
• Committing significant expenditure; providing
• Processing efficiencies for Planning Service; and
• Speedier decisions for applicants.

HOW?

• Prescribed process underpinned by a Protocol
• Form requests basic information and asks for the advice being sought
• Purpose to inform/shape proposals so as to then clarify detail of formal planning

application

• Service targets to respond to Pre-apps on average within 21 days
• Always in confidence – however, mindful of FOI Act and its obligations in law.

Pre-Application Enquiry

SUBMITTING AN ENQUIRY

• Form available at; and can be
• E-mailed to planningdevelopment@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
• No fee
• Clarity of information provided enhances the advice able to be offered
• Name/address/location/proposal
• Identification of issues/queries – but not a process to confirm that planning

permission is not required.

• Assigned to a case officer
• Agent/Applicant receives confirmation letter/e-mail acknowledging receipt and

details of case officer

• 21 day target to respond

Pre-Application Enquiry

RESPONSE

• Will offer advice where the proposal can be enhanced – ‘added value’, or could be

altered/shaped to improve prospect of planning permission.

• But, if development is unacceptable, will be upfront and honest.
• Pre-Apps are prioritised; seeking to promote sustainable economic growth and

Council SOA objectives. Lower priority for speculative/prospective purchases.

• Normally in writing – resourcing meetings and site meetings.
• Refer to PREAPP in formal Planning Application – but avoid inappropriate reference

to advice/officers/Planning Service/Council. Publication Scheme.

Pre-Application Enquiry

HOW HAVE WE PERFORMED?

• http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/Publications

FEEDBACK

• Quality of enquiries?
• Quality of responses? Face to face/site meetings/visit?
• Priority – fee?
• Performing to time period?
• How often has advice altered proposals/added value?

NEXT STEPS

• Steering group review and consider future options
• Report back, next meeting.

Submitting a Planning Application Application Validation

• Requirements for submitting a planning application set out in legislation – but only

40% of planning applications submitted in Scotland are valid when first submitted.

• Legislative procedures underpin a process to enable development proposals to be

placed in the public domain and for the public to engage with planning and inform and influence decisions.

• Issued recognised nationally – implications for providing certainty in planning.
• Heads of Planning Scotland (HoPS) led research – some areas of common practice;

but

• No unified approach across Scotland.
• No guidance with example plans or drawings.
• Proposal for HoPs to roll out of national guidance on Validation Standards – and to

be endorsed by RIBA/RIAS.

• Intention for South Ayrshire to adopt Guidance when available.
• SG Project to Streamline Planning Appraisal Information – Guidance and Templates