Due to a combination of staffing and resource pressures, and exceptionally high volumes of applications being submitted to the Council, we are currently 2 weeks behind in the validation and processing of planning applications. We are grateful for your patience and understanding as we endeavour to process applications as quickly as possible.
Read the Planning Updates information below to find out about changes affecting our service.
You can also find helpful information on our planning permission FAQs page.
Due to the continued high volume of planning applications that are being received, there may be a delay in the assessment and determination of planning applications. It may take longer than the statutory 8 or 13 weeks to determine your application but we will endeavour to determine your application as soon as possible. You may receive a request from the case officer to agree to an extended period of time to determine the application.
Pre-application Advice: The planning service is similarly experiencing high levels of demand for pre-application advice and we may not always be able to provide the written advice within the timescales set out in our Pre-Application Planning Advice Guidance Note. However our officers are working extremely hard to progress these as quickly as possible.
In this section you will find the following information:
Planning Updates
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Requests regarding the verification of conditions
Due to the significant increase in workload, as of 21 April 2021 we will not be responding to requests seeking the verification of conditions. As a result of considerably high workloads, validating and processing all new planning applications is our main priority at the moment. Therefore, we are having to focus our resources carefully to ensure we can maintain an efficient and productive service.
We kindly suggest that you utilise the free search facility on our website where you can find the relevant documentation to check whether conditions have been discharged. With regards to whether conditions have been complied with, unfortunately, this is not currently a service that we provide as a Local Authority.
The suspension of this service is temporary, however, when it is re-instated it will become a chargeable service due to the level of work, time and resources required to provide a response.
- COVID-19 Temporary Government Measures
For guidance on the relaxation of working hours on construction sites, please read the pdf Directorate of Planning and Infrastructure (418 KB) document. - Government Announces Changes to the Planning System
The Government has announced a number of changes to the planning system in response to the relaxation of lockdown.
Planning permission deadlines will be extended, planning appeals will be sped up and builders will be allowed more flexible working hours following agreement with their local council. Read the coronavirus recovery announcement on the GOV.UK website.
The full detail of applications which will be impacted by this and the length of any extension has yet to be clarified. The implications of these changes will be assessed by both Councils once the detail is provided and we will keep you updated if there are significant impacts.