Issue - meetings

This report updates the Scrutiny Panel on a new chargeable Planning Pre-application Service that is being promoted to developers, agents and private households.

The Divisional Director for Development introduced this item to the Panel. She explained that pre-application advice is provided by planning officers and other specialist advisors within the planning department and other Council departments. She said that it is a non-statutory service and fees can be locally set which can generate additional income in order to cover the cost of providing the service.

She stated that the National Planning Policy Framework 2012 is clear in its expectations that planning authorities should engage pro-actively at pre-application stage. She said that early engagement has significant potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application system for all parties. She added that good quality pre-application discussion enables better coordination between public and private resources and improved outcomes for the community and the more issues that can be resolved at pre-application stage, the greater the benefits.

She said that following a full review of the pre-application service that was being offered pre-April 2016 the service was re-designed. She explained that this included benchmarking with other Local Authorities in relation to the scale of fees charged for the pre application service and having regard to the special environment of Bath and North East Somerset. She said that instead of charging per hour the new schedule separates different proposals by size and complexity.

The Chairman asked how the service was monitored.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that Team Leaders review all of the officer responses.

Councillor Colin Blackburn commented that providing this service will make such a difference to the planning process. He asked how the work would be quantified.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that all discussions will be followed up in writing.

The Chairman asked if the service would be cost neutral.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that the intention was to cover the costs of providing the service.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the progress of the pre-application service that launched in April 2016.