Local Planning Applications

Getting to know what’s going on.
How are planning applications decided?
How can I comment on planning applications?
Do I need planning permission?
Where can I get advice?

Getting to know what’s going on.

The Parish Council is not a planning authority and as such does not make decisions on planning applications; this is the responsibility of Chorley Borough Council and in some cases the County Council. In law The Parish Council is a statutory consultee. This means that the Council receives notification of all planning applications relating to the parish for comment, it is also able to request details of, and to comment on, any application made within the Borough.

The Parish Council receives a ‘weekly list’ which details all applications received by the Borough and also if appropriate copy plans are forwarded. A short consultation period of 21 days is allowed for comment from the date of publication. Where possible planning applications are considered at the monthly Parish Council meetings the meetings are open to all residents. Between meetings, to meet the Borough Council deadlines, applications are dealt with by direct consultation with the Members.

The weekly lists can be viewed by anyone and are available on the Chorley Borough website at www.chorley.gov.uk, plans can also be inspected at the Gillibrand Street council offices telephone 01257 515230.

How are planning applications decided?

The planning authorities make decisions based upon a number of different matters. The most important will be what the policies of the development plan for the area say about the proposal. This Plan which includes the Lancashire Structure Plan and the Chorley Borough Local Plan can be seen at the Planning Office; the documents include restrictions for the Green Belt in which Ulnes Walton is located and other Government Policy which could for example include the prison sites.

National Government policy is set out in a series of Planning Policy Guidelines, details of which can be traced via www.antascivic.freeserve.co.uk/ppg.htm

Planning decisions are determined by either a senior officer or by the Development Control Committee.

In general the issues taken into consideration are:

• Scale appearance and design of the proposal
• Impact on the residential amenity including loss of light, invasion of privacy and noise disturbance
• Impact on the character of the area and whether the use is appropriate
• Effect on highway safety and parking
• Effect on nature conservation and trees
• Effect on a conservation area
• Effect on listed buildings

Chorley Borough Council has produced a number of very useful booklets explaining how it interprets planning Policy. These are available free from the Planning Office and cover subjects such as:

• House extension design
• Design of shop fronts and signs
• Conversion of rural buildings in the countryside
• Developments involving horses

How can I comment on planning applications?

Any resident can make comment directly to the Borough on planning applications; however it is important that issues raised are relevant. Chorley Borough welcomes comment and they are taken into account when considering a decision on the application. The booklets listed above will give you a good idea about what counts as a relevant or material issue.

Comments that cannot be taken into account include:

• Loss of property value
• Boundary disputes
• Private matters between neighbours
• Trade competition

If you wish to comment on an application further advice can be sought from the case officer at the Borough who is dealing with the application, or via a free website providing a wide range of planning advice and information for the general public at www.planning-applications.co.uk.

If you do make comment it would be helpful to let the Parish Council have copy of your letter so that local feeling can be noted.

I am thinking of making a change to the structure or use of my house and/or land. Do I need planning permission?

Most changes to the structure or use of your land or buildings are likely to need some sort of permission from the local authority. If you plan to make any changes that alter the size or appearance of your property or the use to which it is put, it is likely that planning permission is required. It’s best to get advice before going ahead or you may find that you have to restore things to their original condition. 

Once you have secured planning permission, or for many building alterations that do not require it, you still need to consider whether or not you need authority to proceed under the Building Control Regulations. In a nutshell these regulations are to protect you against ill-advised alterations that may affect the structural stability of your property, leave it less than weather-tight, poorly insulated etc. Even changing your windows is covered so it’s best to take advice from the local authority before starting. This could save you from expensive rectification work at a later date.

Where can I get advice?

If you are thinking of making changes to your property or are worried about any planning or building control issue check it out with the relevant department at Chorley Borough Council.

Planning issues: 01257 515230

Building control issues: 01257 515243

Web: www.chorley.gov.uk/planning

It will be a great help to the Parish Council if you keep us informed about any concerns you have about planning or building control.