Applying for planning permission may seem like a daunting task at the best of times. There is a perceived difficulty in how you should go about applying for permission to build or extend a property, but it need not necessarily be as difficult as you think.
Before you apply for planning permission, your local authority should be able to give you an idea of the likely timeframe. Most planning applications are decided within 8 weeks, and 13 weeks for major applications. If the authority cannot process the application within that time, or a decision has not been made, it may be possible to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate for non-determination.
In normal scenarios, the determination process is started as soon as the planning application has been received and verified. The submitted planning application has to comply with the local development authority’s ‘Development Plan’. A number of factors, such as landscaping requirements, the size of the buildings, and the impact the development will have on the surrounding area, will also be taken into account.
If the planning application is relatively minor, the decision is usually made by the planning officer acting under delegated authority. However, if it’s a larger proposed build or it affects a number of people, the application may be decided by a committee. This may take longer than the prescribed period. Once a decision has been reached, the applicant or their agent is informed.
For more information about the planning process, Kingsley Smith Solicitors are specialist planning experts – if you require a planning consultant for your application, we would be happy to help.