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
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