Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Chadwick, ext 6728 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 At the meeting on 10 January 2008 it was reported that the Government is introducing a National Standard Planning Application Form (1APP) and that from 6 April 2008 the new form will be mandatory.

1.2 The use of the new form is to be supported by more comprehensive information requirements for the validation of planning applications. There will be a national list which will be mandatory. Local Authorities are being encouraged to produce local lists of information requirements that must be taken into account by applicants preparing and submitting planning applications.

1.3 The Committee resolved to agree to a consultation on a `Local List' and for the results to be reported back to the Committee. The consultation has been carried out, and the recommendation is to agree to the adoption of the local requirements set out in the attached appendix.

2. Recommendation

That the local requirements set out in the attached appendix are adopted as the Hampshire County Council 1APP Local Planning Application requirements.

3. Introduction

3.1 At the meeting 10 January 2008 it was reported that the Government is introducing a National Standard Planning Application Form (1APP) and that from 6 April 2008 the new form will be mandatory.

3.2 The use of the new form is to be supported by more comprehensive information requirements for the validation of planning applications. There will be a national list which will be mandatory. Local Authorities are being encouraged to produce local lists of information requirements that must be taken into account by applicants preparing and submitting planning applications.

3.3 The Committee resolved to agree to the consultation on a `Local List' and for the results to be reported back to the Committee.

3.4 The consultation was carried out between 15 February and 28 March 2008. The list of the proposed 1APP Local Planning Application Requirements was published on the Council's web site. Consultation letters were sent to key stakeholders, including applicants and agents of recent applications, District, Parish and Town Councils and consultees.

4. Consultation Responses

4.1 Consultation responses have been received from the following:

(i) Hook Parish Council comments that there has been consultation with the District Council and has no comments.

(ii) Owslebury Parish Council supports recommendations considering they will be of great help to the clarity and process of applications.

(iii) Longparish Parish Council has no comments but notes new application forms do not apply to Minerals Applications.

(iv) Melchet Park and Plaitford Parish Council comments that site address should be on the first page of the form.

(v) Sandleheath Parish Council has no comments.

(vi) Fair Oak and Horton Heath Parish Council comments that this is an improvement as the form will be standard, making things rather clearer and straightforward.

(vii) Thames Water comments that a Utilities Statement should be included in the local list of validation requirements.

(viii) New Forest District Council comments that the documents reflect the broad approach agreed with HIPOG (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Planning Officers Group).

(ix) Adrian Lynham, White Young Green (planning consultants), comments that the current system works well where applications are discussed with a planning officer and a supporting statement prepared to cover the likely issues. The way the list is formatted implies separate issue reports need to be prepared when often it works better to wrap everything up in a single supporting statement.

5. Comments

5.1 It is noted that the Parish Councils which did respond to the consultation were generally supportive. The comments of Thames Water are noted, and it is proposed to add the requirement for a Utilities Statement into the local list for appropriate developments.

5.2 With regard to the comment concerning the use of a supporting statement, the implementation of the local requirements does not necessarily mean that the information cannot be included in a supporting statement provided it is clear and is in sufficient detail. Pre-application discussion with planning officers will continue, and the appropriateness of including information in a supporting statement, or the need for separate reports, can be agreed.

5.3 In conclusion it is recommended that, in accordance with Government advice, the 1APP Local Planning Application Requirements list, as set out in the attached appendix, be adopted, and so will be a requirement for all applications submitted on or after 17 April 2008.

1629/PDC