Planning Background

Obtaining planning permission for your land gives you the ability to create development opportunities and dramatically increase its value.

It should normally take no more than 6-8 weeks from your application submission to obtaining a decision.

The process frequently does not run smoothly and being aware of the many pitfalls will help in navigating to a successful application and minimise the stress and uncertainty.

The success of an application will all depend upon the assessment and interpretation of the following documents and parties;

• national policy documents
• local development framework documents
• local councillor committees
• planning officers

Each local authority will have their own local development framework and having a detailed understanding of it can have a dramatic effect on the success of any application.

Applications can be approved/refused by a planning officer or the planning committee within the local authority.

In the end, it is the quality of the relationship with your local planning officer that can have a crucial bearing on increasing your odds for success.

The history of your planning application is very important and all care necessary should be taken when taking refusals to appeal.

Losing an appeal can impact any future application for many years ahead so having the skills and knowledge to navigate this important stage of the process is fundamental.