PLANNING - MICROGENERATION
Here are some Notes provided by Warwick District Council at the presentation about Planning and Microgeneration at the April meeting.
How much will planning permission cost?
The fee for an application for planning permission for householder development (i.e. works within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse) is £150.00.
What will happen to your application?
If you submit a planning application, we will first check to see whether you have provided all the necessary information. You can apply online through the Planning Portal which is a paperless way of making an application including online fee payment. There is a link to www.planningportal.gov.uk on our website
The level of information required is to ensure that there is no doubt about what you are applying for. As such, the new standard application form (1APP) now includes a detailed application validation checklist. A copy of this is available on the Warwick District Council website.
Required information would include a location plan, details of dimensions and siting, using scaled drawings. It is also helpful to submit a photograph showing the exact location of the equipment. A "Design and Access" statement, which is a supporting planning statement outlining why the proposed development would accord with the relevant policies in the Local Plan, is required for works to dwellings in Conservation Areas. Some of the following may also be required depending on the type of proposed microgeneration, such as Noise Impact Assessment, Archaeological Survey, Biodiversity and Geological Conservation, Listed Building Appraisal. The availability of this information ‘upfront' will assist public understanding of and community involvement in the application decision making process, whilst helping to ensure that the application has the best chance of succeeding.
Once the application is validated, it will be allocated to a case officer who will carry out a site visit to the property in order to assess the proposal following the receipt of relevant consultation.
How long does the process take?
Example timetable of the application process
• Week 1 Validation of application
• Week 2 Processing of application (inc sending out of consultations and notifications)
• Week 2-3 Officers site visit (inc posting of site notice)
• Week 3-5 Receipt of consultation and notification responses
• Week 5-6 Amendments to scheme (if required)
• Week 6-7 Delegated Decision or preparation of Committee report
• Week 7-8 Committee consideration if required (dependent upon schedule of committee dates)
NOTE: The above timetable is a typical example of a standard householder or other minor planning application and due to the individuality of all applications and the issues involved this timetable may change.
A site notice will be put up near or adjacent to all application sites by the case officer when the site is visited and adjoining neighbours notified of the application so that comments on the application can be made. In certain cases, applications are also advertised in a local newspaper. The Parish or Town Council will be notified together with other relevant organisations such as Warwickshire County Council, the Environment Agency and English Heritage. Every site will be visited by the case officer as every application and site is unique.
All applications will be considered on their own respective merits, having regard to relevant comments from consultees, site inspection findings, planning policy and other guidance. Applications may need to be justified by a written submission of case if they would constitute an exception to the development plan for the area and/or national policies.
A case officer will consider your application and in most instances a decision will be made within 8 weeks... However, this is dependant upon the application being submitted with all the necessary information.
The Planning Department may, depending on the complexities of the application and the responses from consultees, decide the application under Delegated Powers , or a report will be prepared for the Planning Committee, which is made up of elected councillors, outlining the application, responses from consultees and the officer's assessment and recommendation.
Applicants, agents, supporters and objectors can speak at the Planning Committee, together with a representative of the Parish and Town Councils. Ward members also have a right to address the Committee when applications in their ward are discussed.
After the Decision
Warwick District Council will send you (or usually your agent) a letter notifying you of the decision stating whether the application is granted or refused. There is a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in the event of a refusal or if conditions have been imposed which you consider are unreasonable.
If the application is granted, it will generally, unless your permission says otherwise, be time limited so that you have to begin the development within three years of the granting of planning permission. There may be other conditions on the permission requiring the submission and approval of details before works start on site. It is most important that these are dealt with BEFORE the development begins as failure to discharge "pre-commencement" conditions means that a commencement of the development may be unlawful. Enforcement Action may also be taken if conditions or details are not submitted and approved by the Planning Authority before work is commenced.
Are there any ways to assist the process?
There are a number of issues to carefully consider before you submit a planning application. These could include some of the following:
• the type of microgeneration to use - consider less visually intrusive equipment or site
• Ecology - Warwickshire County Council Ecology Unit will offer advice on the potential implications to bats or birds. - You may contact Rebecca May on 01926 412974.
• Archaeology - Proposals for ground source heat pump installations may have archaeological implications- pre application advice is available from a planning archaeologist at Warwickshire Field Services on 01926 412734.
• its impact on the general character of the area, such as its size and siting. The siting of any microgeneration equipment is very important. Government guidance suggests that it should be positioned where it would have a minimal impact on the street scene and the character and appearance of the area. This is particularly significant with designated areas and on listed buildings. A key issue for planning when determining an application for the installation of microgeneration equipment is to assess its visual intrusion.
In designated areas such as Conservation Areas, the Planning Authority is required to balance competing objectives of sustainable development -
• Protecting our environment in the form of built environment /heritage - protection of buildings and townscape - roof scape
• Protection of the environment to ensure the best use of resources - climate change and renewable energy.
This is why the siting of any equipment is required to be in a location which would minimize the potential for visual intrusion.
• any possible impacts of the equipment on neighbouring properties,such as noise and vibration. It is always helpful to discuss what you want to do with your neighbours, so that any concerns may be addressed before you submit a planning application. Warwick District Council Environmental Health offers pre-application advice on issues of noise and disturbance and may be contacted on 01926 456720.
• Any supporting information about these issues should be submitted with the application to assist with its assessment.
Planning pre application advice
Finally, the planning department offers a pre application advice service, free of charge, so that any areas of concern may be highlighted and addressed before submitting an application, and hopefully enable you to achieve a positive outcome. Further advice is available from Warwick District Council, Conservation and Design Section on 01926 456508 if the proposal would be sited in a Conservation Area or on a listed building.
Further information about the installation of microgeneration equipment can be found at the following websites: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115315124405.html and on pages on the Warwick District Council website.