DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
Advice regarding the
Disability Discrimination Act (PDF 92kb)
Development Control is carried out within the Planning and Development Division which works closely with Building Control
to ensure that applications are processed in a co-ordinated way.
The Planning System regulates development and the use of land in the public interest. It protects and enhances the environment,
preserves the built and natural heritage, conserves the rural landscape and maintains the separate identities of settlements.
The system also reconciles the interests of conservation and development which is necessary to provide homes, investments
and jobs.
Development Control Charter
The purpose of the Charter is to set out operating procedures for the exercise of the Development Control Service in the
District and to incorporate performance targets to ensure that the existing high standard of service can be maintained and
improved upon where appropriate. A copy of the charter, published in April 2003 in available in PDF format from the link below.
Development Control Charter (PDF 450kb)
Works that require Planning Permission.
Planning Permission is usually required for the development or use of land. Demolition of buildings, rebuilding, structural
alterations, additions to buildings and other operations are categories of work normally requiring Planning Permission.
Works that do not require Planning Permission.
These include works of maintenance, improvement or alteration which affect only the interior of non-listed buildings. In
addition minor works such as small kitchen, lounge and dining room extensions are often "Permitted Development"
by virtue of the General Development Order.
In certain circumstances planning permission is required before a satellite dish can be erected. Advice on this is available
in a booklet published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by clicking
here.
Listed Building Consent is usually necessary for any works to a listed
building.
There are nine conservation areas
in Blaby District. Additional controls over development exist in some of these areas. You should contact Sue Dobby for advice.
Works to trees covered by a Tree
Preservation Order or in a Conservation Area require the consent of the Planning Division. A Guide to Tree Preservation
Procedures is available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by clicking
here.
The display of advertisements,
masts for mobile phones, farm buildings and certain types of demolition require different types of permission which are dealt
with by the Planning Division
Most alterations and extensions to buildings, even if they do not require Planning Permission, must comply with the Building
Regulations. This requires the submission of an application to the Building
Control Division which is also within the Services Directorate. Please contact 0116 2727533
The rules and regulations are very complex. Therefore it is important that anyone proposing to carry out development first
make enquiries to ascertain whether or not Planning Permission is required. Due to the complexity of the Planning System the
Council offers a free advisory service to householders.
If you are thinking of extending or altering your house you should complete and submit a Preliminary
Enquiry Form. This will enable the Planning Division to assess your proposal and determine whether planning permission
is necessary. You will receive a written response.
Advice can also be found in the booklet published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 'A
Guide for Householders'.
Advice on more complicated proposals is contained in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's booklet 'A
Guide for Business'. Alternatively, you could contact one of the Development Control Case Officers listed below.
The Planning Division staff will usually be able to advise you on most matters. However, if you are submitting a planning
application or if you require specialist, technical or legal advice you may have to employ a professional agent (eg. architect,
town planner, surveyor or solicitor).
It is important that when making a formal application you deposit the correct number of plans and forms (further advice
on making an application and forms for various types of application are available by clicking
here) together with the appropriate fee.
If you have any doubts, please contact the Council’s Planning Division.
Please note if you have employed an agent you will receive nothing directly from us. All correspondence, including decision
notices, will be sent to your agent who should keep you updated on the application. We will try to deal with your application
within 8 weeks. Some applications may take longer. The notes below will help to explain why this may happen.
Registration
When your application is received, it will be checked to make sure it is complete. It will then be allocated to the case
officer. The application will be given a reference number (eg. 00/0999/1/PX). This should be quoted in correspondence and
telephone calls to us.
Everyone has the right to comment on a planning application. The application must be included in a register which is open
to public inspection. For advice on how to comment on a planning application click
here.
We publish a weekly list of applications received which is available by clicking
here.
The Council must contact other organisations such as the Highways Authority and Parish/Town Councils. In some cases specialist
advice is needed, eg. for noise concerns. Neighbours are advised that an application has been received. The usual period for
comment is twenty one days from notification.
Assessing an Application
A Case Officer always visits the application site to assess the proposal.
lanning law requires us to consider all applications in the light of approved policies set out in both the Leicestershire
Structure Plan and the Blaby District Local Plan. This means we must assess siting, appearance, access and the potential affect
upon your neighbours and other constraints that have been identified.
Consultees or objectors may raise concerns which also need to be addressed.
If a problem is identified which can be resolved you will be asked to amend your application. Some amendments may require
renewed consultation and advertisement.
In determining applications the Council has to balance a number of often conflicting interests. On occasions when somebody
gains something, someone else may lose something, but the Council always tries to get the balance right.
Most applications where there have been no more than two objections and which do not conflict with policy can usually be
decided by the Head of Planning Services under powers of delegation by the Development Control Committee.
Other more significant and controversial applications will be considered by the Development
Control Committee on a four week cycle of meetings.
Before this meeting the case officer prepares a written report which will:
- explain the proposal
- state the planning history
- report any comments received (most written comments are copied and attached to the report)
- evaluate the issues raised, and
- >recommend a decision with reasons
The report and any correspondence referred to may be inspected during the three days before the meeting. Any written
comments received after the publication of the agenda are copied and presented to members at the Committee.
You may attend the meeting. You may not speak unless at least five letters of representation have been received from neighbours
and they have made a request to speak at the meeting. In these circumstances you, or your agent and the local Parish/Town
Council are also invited to address the Committee. Other rules apply to speaking at the Development Control Committee, click here for details.
The Committee may not agree with the recommendation and reach a different decision. In this instance conditions or reasons
for refusal will need to be approved before a decision is issued and some delay will occur.
Alternatively, members may decide to defer any decision and visit the site. You will be advised of the arrangements beforehand.
You will receive a decision notice which clearly states whether Planning Permission is granted or refused. Most applications
will be approved subject to conditions. Notes on how to appeal any decision are included with the decision notice and further
advice is available from The Planning Inspectorate.
Unless otherwise stated, development can begin at any time within 5 years of the permission, although you may need to agree
some details set out in the conditions beforehand. If you have not started work within this period you will have to re-apply.
Click here for details of recent decisions.
