Decision details

Agreed to investigate further the possibility of charging developers for pre-submission advice; agreed that relevant consultees and neighbours be consulted again on amended plans, except for those with very minor significance; requested that care should be exercised in relation to households that abut the development site, including over-printed envelopes with a suitable message to indicate that it is an important communication concerning a planning application; agreed that applicants be advised in the clearest terms at the outset of the process that they are unlikely to receive any further communication until all of the consultees' views had been received, which could be towards the end of the eight or thirteen week determination period; requested that members of Town and Parish Councils be encouraged to attend training on all aspects of the Development Management process;  agreed that as part of the next review of the public speaking procedure for the Development Management Panel consideration be given to the possibility of a mechanism that allows external speakers to respond to what they perceive to be factually incorrect information so that the Panel can make well-informed decisions; and reiterated that the Council reinforces the message wherever possible that development that takes place without permission is discouraged and that the Council will take a robust approach concerning the retention of development where permission is subsequently refused.

In light of a review by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel