We can provide pre application advice on the following planning proposals only:
- Developments that propose or are required to provide affordable housing*.
- All major commercial and retail development (in accordance with the ‘major’ application definition).
- Developments proposed to provide new community and recreational provision.
- Developments related to Listed Buildings and developments within Historic parks and gardens.
- Developments proposed by local businesses in support of their own development needs.
- Permitted development enquiries.
- Discussions after the refusal or withdrawal of a planning application.
- Telecommunications
*Affordable housing is defined as housing provided with subsidy, both for
rent and low cost market housing such as units to rent for Registered
Social Landlords, shared ownership with subsidy, shared equity and
discounted market rented housing.
Developments which fall outside the above criteria will not be considered.
In using this service the aplicant’s commitment will be:
- To fully investigate the planning history of the site.
- To familiarise yourself with the development plan policy and parking standards that might apply to your proposal. The Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan sets out policies and proposals for the Borough and there is also Supplementary Planning Documents. Further Supplementary Planning Guidance such as Village Design Statements and other guidance on a number of subjects will also need to be considered.
- That you visit the site and make a detailed analysis to establish site characteristics, constraints opportunities and the surroundings. Accurate site survey plans, levels sections/ streetscenes and tree condition surveys (where applicable) will be required if a planning application is to be submitted. Therefore, these survey plans are likely to be useful in the process of designing a scheme too. A Design and Access Statement should also be submitted.
- To understand that any advice given by Councils’ officers for pre-application enquiries does not constitute a formal response or decision of the Council with regards to future planning consents. Any views or opinions expressed are given in good faith, and to the best of our ability, without prejudice to the formal consideration of any planning application which will be subject to public consultation and ultimately could be decided by the Development Control Committee.
- To be aware that that little or no weight will be given to the content of the Councils’ pre-application advice for schemes which are submitted more than 6 months after the date of the advice being issued or when there has been a change in National or local Planning Policy.
- To pay reasonable legal fees which would be identified and communicated to you with any draft planning agreement.
- To supply the names and addresses of all the owners / mortgagees of the land to ensure that any legal agreement can be quickly drafted.
The Council's commitment:
- To acknowledge the submission by letter or email telling you who will be dealing with your query within 3 working days.
- A lead officer will be appointed to manage and co-ordinate your proposal from pre-application to final decision stage and will be readily available to provide advice and assistance.
- The Officer will normally undertake a site visit if the proposal is a major development (such as more than 10 dwellings).
- If appropriate, the lead officer will contact you to arrange a meeting.
- The service provided will be multidisciplinary and proactive, with ready access to professional advice and guidance from internal officers involved in the development process.
- The service will be comprehensive and include advice and guidance on related consent regimes, legislation and available assistance. Based on the information you have provided planning officers will provide accurate and objective advice in good faith but without prejudice to the formal consideration of any planning application by either Officers or Members of the Development Control Committee. Any advice given will normally be confirmed in writing.
- In the event that an application is submitted following pre-application advice and there are minor technical issues which need to be resolved the case officer will provide the necessary time in order to provide the applicant with an opportunity to amend the application in order to achieve a consent.
- Identify S106 contributions and the justification for such and the drafting of an agreement and to identify legal costs when the draft agreement is sent.
If changes to what is being proposed in any pre-application approach are recommended, you are advised to submit amended plans for comment before any formal application is submitted. This is to avoid the problems that can arise when applicants or agents think they have overcome issues and subsequently find out that this is not the case.
- We aim to respond to a request for pre-application advice within 28 working days. If this cannot be achieved because we have either had to request further information or carry out a wider consultation exercise, we will write to let you know.