Planning

Question 1

Which 2 main roles do local authorities play in the planning process?

Answer 1

1. Long term development planning to ensure there are sufficient houses, roads, schools, factories and shops to cater for population numbers
2. Development control – whether to approve planning applications for individual developments

Question 2

What is the ongoing tension in planning?

Answer 2

The need for new development and economic growth and the protection of the environment

Question 3

What did the last Government set out in an effort to make the planning system simpler and quicker and build more houses?

Answer 3

The 2011 National Planning Policy Framework

Question 4

What did it controversially say there should be a “presumption in favour of”?

Answer 4

Sustainable development

Question 5

What most local authorities set out within that framework?

Answer 5

A local plan earmarking particular areas for development

Question 6

What role do local authority councillors play in relation to planning applications?

Answer 6

They make the decisions on planning applications advised by officers on the law

Question 7

What are the 2 types of planning consent?

Answer 7

1. Outline planning permission or consent – this gives permission for development in principle under broad outlines. Lasts for five years. Land is often sold with “outline planning permission”.
2. Detailed planning permission – this gives consent to detailed plans that will show the exact numbers of houses/shops/factories and their location. Lasts for five years.

Question 8

Which 3 responses can councillors give?

Answer 8

1. Unconditional approval
2. Conditional approval subject to conditions such as improved access or traffic management schemes
3. Refusal

Question 9

How do officers and councillors interact around planning application?

Answer 9

Before an application is discussed by councillors, officers will study the proposal and give a recommendation whether it should be approved or not

Increasingly, councillors are wary of going against the recommendation of officers because of the costs of appeals.

Question 10

What is it known as when the type of business using a particular premises changes?

Answer 10

A change of use consent.

Question 11

What are the 5 steps in a planning process?

Answer 11

1. Developers apply to the local planning authority (district councils in two-tier areas and unitary authorities elsewhere)
2. The application is formally entered on a register, immediate neighbours notified and parish council alerted
3. Sometimes it is also advertised in local press or with notices posted on lampposts or other structures nearby
4. Public exhibitions with models and detailed plans may be put on for major applications
5. Planning officers make a recommendation based on planning law, but it is councillors who decide

Question 12

Who deals with routine applications and what is an example of one?

Answer 12

sub committees - e.g. small house extensions

Question 13

Who discusses key decisions involving significant expenditure?

Answer 13

Cabinet and full council

Question 14

What is the time frame within which planning applications must be decided?

Answer 14

Two months

Question 15

Who do you complain to if a planning application is refused and how long do you have to do this?

Answer 15

The Secretary of state (for levelling up, housing and communities?) - you have 6 months

Question 16

Who considers the appeal and in which 3 ways might they do this?

Answer 16

The Planning Inspectorate will consider the appeal by way of:

1. Written representations and site visit (80% done this way
2. Formal hearing with both parties present (16%)
3. A full planning enquiry taking evidence from both sides and other interested parties

Question 17

What might the Secretary of State do in regards to controversial applications for a final decision?

Answer 17

“Call in”

Question 18

What is planning gain or planning contribution and what does it entail?

Answer 18

Offering “sweeteners” to the local authority and the community

For example agreeing to build new classrooms for a primary school as part of a big new housing development.

Or offering to build “affordable housing”, leisure facilities or new roads as part of a bigger scheme.

Question 19

Name some of the 5 areas with special scenic or scientific value which have extra protection from development.

Answer 19

1. National Parks (e.g. the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales)
2. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
3. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
4. Individual buildings can be listed as being of special historical or architectural interest
5. Conservation areas – buildings in designated areas are protected from unsympathetic alterations

Question 20

What is a greenfield site?

Answer 20

Sites for building on previously undeveloped areas

Question 21

What is a brownfield site?

Answer 21

Sites for building on areas previously occupied by industry or housing

Question 22

What is a greenbelt?

Answer 22

Set up as part of the Town and Country Planning Act of 1947 to prevent urban sprawl by controlling development in the countryside surrounding cities

Question 23

What is a Compulsory Purchase Order?

Answer 23

Ways by which local authorities can buy property and land for big developments

Question 24

What is a planning blight

Answer 24

The drop in value of neighbouring properties after planning permission is given to a controversial scheme

Question 25

What are land banks?

Answer 25

Ownership of large areas of undeveloped land held in reserve for future development (Tesco has been criticised for having a large land bank)

Question 26

What is a NIMBY?

Answer 26

Not in my back yard – pejorative term for people who oppose development in their locality