Deciding a Planning Application

The planning system for North Norfolk aims to provide homes and buildings, investment and jobs, in a way consistent with the principles of sustainable development. Current planning policies are set out in our Local Plan , and this, together with the County Structure Plan, forms the Development Plan. All planning decisions have to be made in accordance with the Development Plan, unless there are sound planning reasons for not doing so.

Formal Applications under the Planning Act have to be considered by the Local Planning Authority within the context of local, regional and government policies in relation to land use. Some guidance specific to making a Planning Application in North Norfolk can be found in the Local Plan Chapter - Determining applications for planning permission

North Norfolk District Council submitted a new development plan (The Core Strategy, incorporating development control policies) to Government for examination in June 2007. This development plan sets out new planning policies for the district and will replace the existing Local Plan "saved" policies. The Inspector's Binding Report is anticipated to be published at the end of May 2008. If the Inspector finds the plan "sound", the Core Strategy is programmed to be adopted by the Council towards the end of July 2008. This will alter the planning policies for the district and may influence the decision on your application. '

1. Applications determined prior to receipt of the final binding report will continue to be determined in accordance with the Local Plan with an appropriate degree of weight attached to the Core Strategy as a material consideration.
2. All applications submitted after receipt of the final binding report will be determined in accordance with the policies of the Core Strategy unless there are material considerations that would suggest otherwise.
3. All applications 'on hand' upon receipt of the final binding report will be determined in accordance with the Core Strategy unless the applicant can demonstrate that there was a good reason to depart from the new policies.
   

To ensure the system broadly delivers planning decisions in a timely manner, the Government sets targets through Guidance and Best Value Indicators. Currently these targets are:

• Major Applications - 60% in 13 weeks
• Minor Applications - 65% in 8 weeks
• Other Applications - 80% in 8 weeks.

After receiving an application, and once registered, North Norfolk District Council will advertise all applications on site and in the local press, allowing a period of 21 days for people to comment. Planning Officers also consult town and parish councils, local people and other agencies such as highway and drainage authorities.

• Only after these consultation periods have elapsed can a decision be made. Works must not be commenced until the relevant consent or permission has been issued.
• Each application will be considered against the policies within the North Norfolk Local Plan and the Norfolk Structure Plan.
• Any other planning considerations which are deemed 'material' to the application will also be considered.
• Major or controversial proposals are considered by the Development Control Committees whose Agenda, Reports and Minutes can be accessed from our Development Control Committees webpage.
• Most minor applications are decided by the Head of Planning under a scheme of delegation. Our online Register of Planning Applications will state whether a decision is made by committee, .ie. 'MEMBERS' or 'delegated'.
• Whether approved or refused, a decision notice for each application will be issued after the decision has been made. The formal decision notice will detail any conditions attached to permission, or reasons for refusal of the application.

The basic decision process consists of:

• Receipt of Applications
• Validation of Applications
• Neighbour / consultee Notifications.
• Initial assessment against policies
• Site Visit
• Analysis of responses / representations
• Report
• Decision

The Planning Portal has a web page with information and a diagram of the Planning Application Process.