P8.2: Receipt & Validation

Through the Development Team approach it will be important for the Local Planning Authority to have prepared well in advance of formal receipt of an application to enable efficient application processing to occur. The overall project management structures as advocated at Stage 4 of this Guide should run through from pre-planning into the determination phase, with a new emphasis being placed upon:

• Identifying the relevant officers who will be involved in the determination stage, as well as their responsibilities and delegated powers to deal with issues and make decisions, as and when the need arises;
• Mapping the anticipated programme to process the application including setting reasonable milestone dates to complete an initial review of the proposals, undertake site visits, receive and review consultation responses, request and assess further information, and set an anticipated committee date;
• Establishing, implementing and managing the most appropriate approach to stakeholder and public engagement. This should include a proactive approach to working with third parties, ensuing they have the right information to enable them to provide feedback within set timescales; and
• Establishing weekly performance monitoring to assess progress with processing, the identification of ‘show stopper’ issues and monitoring of risk.

Setting a realistic timescale is crucial to give transparency to the decision making process. Whilst Government target dates have been set for major applications (13 weeks, or 16 weeks for EIA development), these should not override the need to undertake a full and proper assessment of any application, especially one relating to complex large development projects. The proposed Planning Performance Agreement process could be used to establish an appropriate timeline for consideration and determination of an application.