Development Control Protocol

The national planning process has recently been reviewed and significant changes have resulted from the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act. However, it is vitally important to respond quickly to such changes and it is essential that the Code of Practice-Protocol is kept under review and amended from time to time.

Although changes may occur over time the basic principles of the development control process within the planning system are likely to remain. The system for the control of development is largely a process of the 20th century. In simple terms it is there to control new development, alterations or changes to buildings and land. With certain exceptions development proposals need the formal consent of the Council acting at the Local Planning Authority. Although each application must be considered on its individual merits, this involves evaluating the proposal against the Council's own Districtwide Local Plan Policies, Government advice, consultation responses and all other material considerations. In approving any application, the Council must now justify why it considers any scheme acceptable (Circular 8/2003) and in refusing a proposal, it must state the reasons why.

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