• YOU ARE IN:
• Sedgemoor Home
• /
• The Council
• /
• Service Areas
• /
• Planning

Planning

Planning services consists of Development Control (planning applications and enforcement) and Planning Policy.

Planning Online

Development Control (DC) and Building Control (BC) (building regulations) are functions which the Council must carry out according to the rules and regulations determined by Government.  These rules are there to protect our environment and ensure sound construction. Planning Policy is within the Regeneration Service.

Both Building Control and Regeneration Policy pages can be accessed by using the links to the right or top of this page.

• Online Submission. You can submit planning applications online to Sedgemoor using the Planning Portal.

• Forms,  Guidance, Fees and Charges.   The New 1APP Standard Planning Application Form is now in force. The forms plus associated help notes, guidance and proposed local requirements can be accessed from the bottom left of this page or from the New Standard Planning Application form - 1APP page.

• The current Guidance on Planning Applications and Associated Procedures, planning application fees and charges can be seen or downloaded from that page. This includes guidance on Design and Access Statements  which are now required with most planning applications and submitting Major Applications. . Ordnance Survey Maps for Planning and Building Control applications can be purchased from Ordnance Survey - Purchase of Maps -Suppliers
• Discharge of Conditions.  The Government on 6th April this year introduced fees for the discharge of planning conditions. Full details about this can be viewed by downloading the Statutory Instrument 958. Sedgemoor has decided to introduce the charges with effect from 1st September 2008.
  
  The fee is payable where a written request is made for the discharge or compliance with one or more conditions on the same permission. The fee is payable for each request and not for each condition. For example, if your planning permission was granted subject to three conditions and you apply to discharge the first two conditions together and then the third at a later date, you will have to pay two separate fees. If when the development has been completed you apply for confirmation of compliance with a condition or conditions then a separate fee will also be payable.
  
  The fees are £85.00 per request or £25.00 where the related permission was for extending or altering a dwelling house or other development within the curtilage of a dwelling house. The fee must be paid when the request is made, it does not matter when the permission was granted.
  
  The government encourages authorities to deal with all requests within 8 weeks. The submitted fee will be refundable if no response is sent within 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a valid request.  Requests to discharge planning conditions or to confirm they have been complied with must be made in writing, must clearly identify the permission and the relevant condition/s to be considered, and include such other plans and details necessary to describe the matters being submitted for approval, together with the appropriate fee.

• Pre-Application Planning Advice.  From 6 April 2008, the current free service of providing advice as to whether a proposal requires planning permission will be withdrawn. Whilst we will be happy to advise verbally whether the work you are proposing requires permission, if you require written confirmation as to whether planning permission is required, then an application for a Lawful Development Certificate can be made. See Lawful Development Certificate Application Forms, Help Notes, Guidance and Requirements.  At the same time a charge of £30 per enquiry will be introduced for pre-application advice, payable with your enquiry.

• Further Advice and guidance including pre-application advice  is available via the Planning Portal.

• Weekly Lists. The weekly lists of planning applications received and decided are available by clicking on the large Planning Online image above. 

• Flood Risk areas are split into three categories according to the risk of flooding. You may need a Flood Risk Assessment to be submitted with your planning application.    Please refer to Flood Risk Advice and Environment Agency web sites for further information. 

• Commenting.  If you wish to comment on a current planning application, please read this leaflet  Commenting on planning applications [38kb] , and then go to the Planning Online image above to find the individual application details and make your comment.  If the planning application is not current you can still make a Comment on Planning Application or Make an Enquiry . If you wish to speak at the Development Control Committee please read this procedure note  Public Speaking Procedure for Development Control Committee [11kb].

• Consult.  Read more about Consultations on Planning Applications.

• Decisions.  Applications are delegated for decision to the Group Manager whose responsibilities include Development Control according to the Scheme of Delegation. Otherwise they are reported to the Development Control Committee for decision at which there is a Public Speaking Time (see Commenting paragraph above). 

• Planning Breaches.  If you wish us to investigate a possible breach of the planning rules, please complete the form from this link.

• Planning Enforcement.  Read more about Planning Enforcement

• Appeals. Appeals against a planning decision must in most cases be made within six months of the date of the decision. Read more about Appeals.

• Local Plan. The Local Plan is now available online.

• Local Development Framework.  This is the responsibility of Regeneration and you can read more about the Local Development Framework by clicking this link.

• Regeneration.  For further information about Planning Policy (Forward Planning, Heritage (including Listed Buildings) and Conservation) please refer to Regeneration Policy.

• Trees and Hedges. For information about, trees, tree preservation orders, trees in conservation areas, hedges and landscape, refer to Trees & Landscape.

• South West Planning Aid.  This organisation provides free, independent and impartial advice on town planning matters to community groups and individuals who cannot afford professional fees. It is part of the Royal Town Planning Institute, a charity, and the professional body for planning. It has paid staff as well as a strong volunteer network. It can prepare communities for their involvement with local authorities and the development plan process (e.g. through advice and training). It also provides help and support on planning applications. For further details refer to the above link to the Planning Aid Website.

• Questions. If you have any queries about any of the above, please contact Development Control (details to the right above).