Planning and Building Control

The Planning Services Section is located within our Planning and Development Services Department. The section is essentially responsible for the management of  development and the conservation and enhancement of the built and natural environment. The work of the planning service is split into three specialist teams. These are:

Development Control and Enforcement

The Development Control and Enforcement team is responsible for the processing of planning applications, applications for listed building consent and conservation area consent. Individual applications are determined on the basis of the Councils planning policies and development briefs, government guidance and the individual merits of each scheme.

Planning Policy and Environment

The Planning Policy and Environment team is responsible for the formulation of land use planning policies to guide and encourage future development, the designation and management of conservation areas, preservation and enhancement of listed buildings, tree and hedgerow preservation and landscape design.

Building Control

The Building Control team is responsible for ensuring that all notified building work in the District complies with the building regulations, and protecting the health and safety of people in or about buildings.

Guide to the Planning System

Urban Forum has produced a Handy Guide to England’s planning system. The guide has been written for community and voluntary organisations, and individuals, with limited experience of the planning process but would like to get involved. It provides a good overview of the planning system and helpful tips on how to get more involved and influence decision making at both regional and local level. A copy of the guide can be downloaded below.