The Council's Development Management
Service deals mainly with proposals for the development
and use of land and buildings. As the name suggests, its primary
function is the control of development. The term "development" is however strictly
defined within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 such that the
control extends only to things requiring planning
permission. This service covers four main areas.
- Planning Registry - providing an
initial contact point for all general planning enquiries
and progress with planning applications as well as providing a
Land Charges service.
- Planning applications - including
advice on development proposals before applications are made and
also advising on whether planning permission is needed.
- Conservation and Design -
looking after the care, maintenance and alteration of listed and
historic buildings and buildings in conservation areas. The Council
also provides a grant aid scheme for property owners and advises on
matters of design to applicants and agents and gives design
input advice in the processing of planning
applications.
- Enforcement - covering breaches
of planning control.