Planning policy

COVID-19 Update

We are taking measures to safeguard the public and ensure our most vulnerable residents are supported while continuing to provide critical services. 

Maintaining the momentum in planning is considered an essential service that we will continue to provide.

Our Officers will often be able to carry out site visits without needing to directly access properties. Should such access be required they will call ahead and ask without needing to enter any homes or meet with you.

Officers will not be attending non-essential meetings and wherever possible will be undertaking phone conversations and conference calls rather than face to face meetings.

There are no immediate plans to cancel statutory committee meetings but the situation is subject to change based on the latest Government advice. Arrangements will be made for determining  planning  applications and we will update this information as this becomes clearer.

Planning policy, also known as strategic planning, identifies where new homes, jobs, shops and essentials like schools, roads and transport are provided. It also identifies what could limit development. We highlight what should be protected like important landscape, wildlife and heritage.

We must prepare Local Plans. These are legal documents that guide planning decisions.