Householders wanting to make a good quality planning application that could be registered without delay can now see who is part of the Council’s Agent Accreditation Scheme on its website.
The scheme works on the basis of planning agents agreeing to abide by a code of practice and completing a checklist of essential documents to be submitted with a householder application.
In return for submitting an application in accordance with the code of practice, the Council will:
- Register and validate applications within 24 hours of receipt when applications are submitted online;
- Keep the agent informed of progress of the householder application through email or telephone;
- Contact the agent following the expiration of the relevant consultation period advising them of the likely outcome of the application;
- Allow the agent to advertise themselves as an accredited agent and provide a list on our website of accredited agents.
Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Members for Homes and Planning, said: “The Agent Accredited Scheme is an effective way of household property owners appointing someone who they can trust to get their planning application moving as efficiently and effectively as possible.
“Our Code of Practice provides householders with reassurance about who they selecting as their agent. We are also appealing to agents to come forward and get accredited. The process to do so is simple and straightforward.”
More information about how to become an agent is available at www.bathnes.gov.uk/agentscheme or via [email protected] or calling 01225 39 40 41.
People also now can discover by the click of a mouse whether their property is one of the 6,000 Listed Buildings in the area by accessing a map layer complete with links to full listing details on the English Heritage website.
By being aware of the Listed Building status of a property, the owner can make a decision on what advice they may require from the Council for Listed Building Consent.
