Minutes:
Kevin Tohill, Planning decisions manager, gave a short presentation, answered questions and listened to concerns.
• Kevin explained the changes to Permitted Development Rights (PDR) which have been introduced seen 2013.
• The aim of this legislation is to help development.
• Permitted developments do not need planning permission.
• They are different for houses, flats, maisonettes and offices. and are more restricted in e.g. conservation areas.
• A certificate of lawful development provides evidence that a development is lawful.
• Applicants can resubmit applications as many times as they like.
• PDR legislation limits the neighbours whom the Local Planning Authority can consult.
• Neighbours have 21 days to object.
• Objections only apply to the current application; they are not carried over from one application to the next - if you object to an application you must do so every time an application is made. Kevin advises people to always open letters from the Planning Authority and, if they let a property, to ask their tenants to open such letters or forward them on to them.
• Applicants do not need to own land for which they submit a planning application.
• When making a decision, the Planning Authority does consider:
- the local area and the quantum of a development. (There is guidance on the density of conversions.)
- the impact on the public realm,
- the amenity space that a development provides for the people who will live there.
• Planning legislation aims to find a resolution to problems to allow development to take place:
- the planning authority has to consider whether an appeal will be successful and therefore the cost to the authority, when making a decision.
- enforcement has to give developers every chance to get things right.
- developers can reapply and / or appeal many times so enforcement may take a very long time.
• Kevin noted that residents were finding it difficult to contact planning officers and found the online system unhelpful, e.g: applications made more than 10 weeks ago are unavailable, too often ‘Page not Available’ is shown.
• The number of planning officers has not decreased but applications have increased significantly in recent years. The usual number was 2,500, but last year the Planning Authority received 6,000 and this year it is likely to be 7,000.
• There is a duty officer available each morning - it is wise to arrange an appointment.
• Call centre scripts are being rewritten to make it easier for residents to speak to officers. If you have the officer’s name you can ask to speak to them or email them. The application reference is always helpful.
• Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) can be requested by contacting the Tree officer, Stephen Downing who would need to visit the address. Root protection zones are considered when a planning application is made and the tree officer does impose strict conditions to protect roots.
Useful web sites:
Enfield, Local Planning Authority: https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/planning/
The Planning Portal: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200127/planning
The Planning Portal, Permitted Development Rights:https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200187/your_responsibilities/37/planning_permission/2
The Planning Portal, Interactive House: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200125/do_you_need_permission/90/interactive_house