Views are being sought on proposed changes to planning applications in Bath and North East Somerset which would see additional documents having to be submitted.
Residents, architects, builders and developers are being asked to have their say on proposals for the Local List of Planning Application Requirements (LLPAR), the documents that need to be submitted with a planning application.
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s proposed LLPAR, which describes the documents that need to be submitted over and above the National Requirements, has gone out to consultation.
Many of the proposed changes come following the recent adoption of the Local Plan Partial Update and associated Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) in January.
These include requirements relating to:
- Biodiversity Net Gain
- Viability Assessments
- Transport Assessments
- Travel Plans
- Houses of Multiple Occupation
- Accessibility Standards
- Student Accommodation
- Artificial Pitches
- Sustainable Construction
The local authority is also proposing changes to update the existing local list requirements for Biodiversity & Geological Conservation Assessments and Structural Engineers Reports for demolition in conservation areas.
This will help to provide clarification and reduce delays to application decision times where additional information may be required.
Additional proposed changes include a checklist for protected species surveys, Land and Visual Impact Assessments and damp remediation reports for listed buildings.
New fees for invalid and returned applications are proposed to cover the additional costs of processing them.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Planning and Licensing, said: “The adoption of the LPPU and associated SPDs was a major policy update with extensive public consultation which focused on delivering more sustainable and ecologically sound development through the planning process.
“These proposed changes to the LLPAR will simplify and clarify the policy requirements at the point of submission and support timely decision making.”
The consultation can be found on the council’s website here. It closes at 5pm on Friday 17th March 2023.
The results of the consultation will be reviewed and feedback taken on board where appropriate.
Decisions to implement new charges will be made by the cabinet member for Planning and Licencing, Councillor Tim Ball.
