Q. Do I need planning permission?
If you are looking to make changes to your home, you should fill out a householder development questionnaire. We will then be able to advise you if planning permission is required.
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Q. Is my property listed / in a conservation area / Green belt / Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (AONB)?
Please contact Council Connect on 01225 394041 who will be happy to advise you.
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Q. Can I view / have copies of paper plans?
All current applications and their associated documents (including plans) are available to view on our online database of applications. They can be printed off at home, or you can visit one of our branch libraries who can print copies for you at a charge of 10p per A4 sheet.
If you wish to view any applications submitted to the council prior to 2005, please contact Council Connect on 01225 394041 who will be able to arrange for the details to be uploaded to our online database of applications.
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Q. Can I speak to a case officer regarding a current application?
Yes. If you have received a neighbour notification letter then the case officer and their telephone number will be listed at the bottom of the letter.
If you have not received a neighbour notification letter, please contact Council Connect on 01225 394041 who will be able to advise you who the case officer is and pass you through to them if they are in the office.
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Q. I am about to submit an application - can you check for me that I've included the necessary information?
We are unable to check your application prior to you submitting it to the Council. Once submitted, our registration team will ensure that all the correct plans and documents have been enclosed, to the correct scale and with the appropriate fee. If there are any problems with your application, our registration team will contact you directly and give you the opportunity to correct any mistakes or omissions.
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Q. Can you give me any planning advice before I submit my application?
Yes we can. Our pre-application advice carries charges of:
· £50 (+VAT) per hour for a standard planning officer
· £70 (+VAT) per hour for a senior planning officer
It is advised that you submit complicated pre-applications to a senior officer.
Requests for pre-application advice need to be submitted in writing to the planning team at:
Planning Services
Development Management
PO Box 5006
Bath
BA1 1JG
Please do not include payment with your submission. Instead, please include an acknowledgement of fees with the application and we will invoice you. An acknowledgement of fees is a statement from you confirming that you are aware of the fees associated with pre-applications. If you wish, you can set a limit on the amount you are prepared to spend (for example, £100).
For more information please see our pre-planning application web-page.
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Q. How do I make a planning application?
You can submit a planning application online through the Planning Portal (external link). A selection of downloadable forms can also be found on our website. Alternatively, you can call us on 01225 394041 and we will send you the correct applications forms.
We encourage developers/applicants to seek pre-application advice to identify any potential issues prior to formal submission and check our ‘Standard details required for applications’ web page.
Please note information provided on the application form and accompanying drawings and documents will be made available on the internet.
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Q. Which application form do I need?
If you are using the Planning Portal (external link) then this will automatically choose the correct application form as part of the process. The Planning Portal website provides the facility to securely submit and pay for an application online. Alternatively, you can submit an application in the post by selecting the relevant downloadable forms from a list of application types.
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Q. Is my planning application going to committee?
If an application is going to committee we will:
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Q. Are there or have there ever been, any planning applications for this property?
Please contact Council Connect on 01225 394041 who will be happy to advise you.
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Q. How much will my planning application cost?
Guidance on the cost of all planning applications can be found on our Fees Web Page.
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Q. How long does it take to make a decision on a planning application?
Planning Services aims to make a decision on most applications within 8 weeks of receiving a complete and valid application. Large or complex applications may take longer.
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Q. What happens to a planning application?
Every planning application we receive will follow the same process:
- Application validated by our registration team to ensure correct plans, documents and fees enclosed
- Registration then confirmed in writing to applicant
- Application considered by either the case officer or the planning committee and decision made
- Work commences within 3 years or applicant appeals against decision
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Q. How can I upon a planning application?
Comments on current planning applications are welcomed and can be sent in writing to the appropriate case officer or by email or fax. Any comment relating to an application should be based on its planning merits and must not contain language that is offensive, abusive or malicious. In all cases please quote the application reference number. Alternatively, you can submit comments for a specific application via our online database of applications.
The Council cannot permit or reject an application simply because many people support or oppose it. The Council will instead look to see if the proposal is consistent with the development plan for the area.
Please Note: All comments received will be viewable on our website as part of the application process. Comments submitted via our online database of applications facility will display the email address and / or the telephone number of the individual commenting upon the proposal. If you would not like your email address and / or telephone number displayed, please submit your comments to the email address below with your letter as an attachment (word or PDF file).
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Q. Why has my application been referred to committee?
In certain cases an application may be referred to the planning committee for decision rather than determined by the case officer. This is normally done if:
- The proposal is contrary to the Council’s adopted planning policies
- If the Parish or Town Council or Ward Member request it
Applicants and registered objectors will be informed in writing if the application is to be referred to committee. This notification will also include details of the venue and time of the meeting. The following people can request to speak at the committee:
- Parish and Town Council representative (3 minutes max per proposal)
- Objectors (3 minutes max per proposal)
- The applicant, agent and supporters (3 minutes max per proposal)
To register to speak at a committee, please contact our Democratic Services Team
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Q. How do I appeal against a planning decision?
If you think that the Council’s decision is unreasonable you can appeal to the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate. Appeals must be made within 6 months of the decision (8 weeks in the case of advertisement applications).
The Planning Inspectorate
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6PN
www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk
Appeals can take several months to decide and it can often be quicker to discuss with your case officer whether changes to your original proposal would make it more acceptable.
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Q. What other planning services will I be charged for?
The authority is unable to cover the costs of certain services without making the appropriate charge to the customer. These charges will be reviewed annually. Please follow the link to our ‘Charges’ web page.
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