Developers face paying fee for planning advice

Senior councillors have agreed that minor changes to already submitted planning applications – known as non-material amendments – can now be made without the need for a new application.

Examples of such minor changes include alterations which will not add to scale, would not result in a detrimental impact either visually or on living conditions, would not disadvantage others, and would keep the plan in line with current policies.

Things such as additional balconies or windows which would impact on the privacy of neighbours, increases in size, extension of boundaries or changes to house type would still be dealt with by a new planning application.

Cabinet members also agreed to introduce charges for advice on pre-planning application submissions. The guidance is currently free.

Government guidance recently launched calls for effective pre-planning discussions to enable the actual planning process to be more efficient.

Currently Kirklees planning staff use an appointment system for free advice on an individual basis. Larger developments are still dealt with through a team approach, and applicants often use this service to raise potential issues.

Coun Peter McBride, cabinet member for investment and regeneration, said: “Our plan is to introduce the charge for pre-application advice only on those applications where officer time is most intensive. So major applications will attract the charge, but advice for householders or minor schemes will remain unaffected, with a review after 12 months.”

The proposed fees are £500 plus VAT for residential developments of more than 10 units or more and other sites. The charge would to £800 plus VAT for 200 or more residential units or a site larger than four hectares and some other sites. The scheme is expected to begin in June.