Planning Advice
The development control system seeks
to ensure all new developments conform to the plans and policies
for South Staffordshire and that they take into account the effects
of proposals on the surrounding area.
This is achieved by the granting or
refusing of planning permission. Planning permission is usually
required before a development can be carried out.
Development is defined in the Town
and Country Planning Act 1990 as "the carrying out of building,
engineering, mining or other operations, in, on, over or under
land, or the making of any material change in the use of a building
or other land."
The following are examples of the
type of developments that may require planning permission:
- New buildings, extensions and alterations which affect the
appearance of a building
- A material change of use of land or buildings
- Sub-division of a house into two or more flats
- Making of a new access on to a public highway, including a
pedestrian access
- Mining or minerals extraction, engineering works such as
tipping into excavations, or raising the level of the land
- Tipping and waste disposal
This is not an extensive list and
there are numerous exceptions. Some developments within these
categories do not require permission as the legislation defines
them as "permitted development". It is therefore advisable to
seek professional advice before going ahead with any
development.
The Council's Development Control
officers will be happy to help you with any such enquiries.
Advice to applicants and agents before they
submit a planning application can be very beneficial to all
parties. It can result in higher quality applications being
submitted, quicker decisions and a better standard of
development. It may also mean that proposals that would have
little or no chance of success are not submitted, saving all
parties time and resources. The Council is committed to
providing pre-application advice and this document sets out
guidance on the type and scope of advice offered (see link)
In addition the Government has set
up an excellent website, the Planning Portal (see link), which
gives advice on general planning issues, government guidance and
information and the ability to submit applications on-line.