Role of Town Councils in Planning
District Councils produce Local Plans which set out the District planning policy and proposals for the area. They identify where development can and cannot take place, the natural and the built environment and the management of traffic. The Local Plan covers a 10 year period but is kept under constant review. The District Council also prepares Design Briefs which are aimed at developers and give details of the type and density of building that is acceptable, the material to be used, green spaces etc.
Although there are a number of exceptions, anyone wishing to develop must apply to South Kesteven District Council for planning permission. The application will be available to view on the SKDC website and the public will be able to comment on a particular application. The District Council Planning Officers will consider all comments received and reflect these in their final decision or if undecided, the application will go to the SKDC Planning Committee.
Useful Downloads
The Town Council as a Consultee
The Town Council is a statutory consultee on planning applications and is normally given 21 days to comment. Plans for consideration will be listed on the Council agenda and comments returned to the District within the deadline.
In commenting on Planning applications, it is important that the Town Council considers issues such as:-
- Consistency with the development plan for the the areas
- Traffic and highway safety issues
- Overlooking, loss of privacy and loss of light
- Scale of the development
- Design, appearance, layout and material
- Loss of important open space or physical features
- Noise, disturbance or smells
- Local knowledge of drainage or other possible problems
Issues that are not relevant include:-
- Effect on the value of property
- Loss of view over other people’s land
- Possible future development not included in the application
- Private property rights such as boundary or access disputes
- Matters covered by other laws
- The morals or motives of the developer
Special rules apply for listed buildings, Conservation Areas and trees (some are protected by Tree Preservation Orders). Planning permission is needed for advertisements above a certain size.
If development appears to have taken place without permission, or if the development is more extensive than given in the planning consent, the District Council’s Enforcement Officer is asked to visit the site and take any necessary follow up action.