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Cuttings from the Newsletter- July 2004 |
PLANNING APPLICATIONS EXPLAINED
What is a planning application?
Anyone can make an application to extend or make external alterations to their property, construct a new building or change the use of an existing building. These are called planning applications and the Council publicises them by notifying all those who may be affected. The Council has a duty to consult on applications to find out what occupiers of neighbouring properties, and others, think about them. The Civic Society is often contacted by its members, and sometimes by non-members, to seek advice on what they might do when a problem arises, usually locally.
If the individual has been notified, or if they have seen a public notice displayed near the site of some proposed development, the address and planning application reference number will be given. The number is important in any action that may be taken.
The Council's advice is that you may ring planning customer services (0117 922 3097) for initial information and that if you wish to follow up the particular application with the Case Officer an appointment can be made. It will generally be the case that you will wish to examine the proposals i.e. planning application put to the Council and this can be done by visiting the planning office during normal working hours. You can then decide whether you wish to comment on the proposals, by post or e-mail, and this is usually required within 21 days.
What happens then?
All comments received by the Council are considered but only planning issues can be taken into account in deciding whether to grant or refuse an application; this is rather technical ground for most people but case officers can advise. The important thing is that if you have a concern then let the council know.
In due course the application will be decided either by a planning officer, under what is known as delegated powers, for many proposals of lesser impact or by Councillors on the Development Control Committees for more major applications; the dividing line here is somewhat arbitrary. The public is free to attend Development Control Committee meetings and these can be very illuminating as to how local planning processes work, or don't work! You also have the right to make a statement there.
The advice has to be that if you have a problem with a development then write. If you do you may not get what you want; if you don't, you just have to keep your fingers crossed. Please don't rely on the Society to speak for you; whatever the circumstances the number of letters can be very influential.
The address you may need is:
Planning Services, Brunel House
St George's Road, Bristol BSl 5UY
The following is a selection of planning applications, which are either under current consideration or have been decided recently.
Redland Playing Fields
The proposals to develop these playing fields to house the new North Bristol Institute have been fairly well publicised in the local press. The Civic Society has pointed out that the application is for a land use which is a departure from the Local Plan. We believe the site is too small for the use proposed and will mean much bussing of pupils/students to suitable playing fields elsewhere. The main concerns are about traffic; the principal entrance for pedestrians is at the top of Redland Court Road and this is also the only entrance for cars, coaches, service vehicles and bicycles. Immense pressure will be put on the roads leading to this entrance, with Redland Green Road, across in front of Redland Parish Church, particularly at risk. We also feel that such a proposed school could lead to unwelcome pressure on the Redland Green open space. In general we are concerned that the environmental impact will be more damaging than is acceptable.
Castle Park Balloon
Permission has been given for a tethered balloon as was last seen two years ago. We supported this in principle but expressed concerns regarding the management of the site.
Garden opposite 23-26 Somerset Street, Kingsdown
These proposals were referred to in the last Newsletter. We are pleased to see that these unwelcome plans have now been withdrawn.
FPS Fire and Safety Ltd site, Waterloo Road, Bristol 2
Waterloo Road is in an area perhaps not well known to Civic Society members, being tucked away behind West Street and Old Market. It is an area where development is invited and this application is for 70 flats, rising to 5 storeys. We believe the proposals are over intensive and too high for the situation.
27 Stoke Hill, Bristol 9
This is an application to build a 4-bedroom house in the grounds of a listed building in the Sneyd Park Conservation Area. We believe the proposed development does not comply with the city's conservation enhancement policies and should not be permitted.
Gordon Tucker
Convenor, Planning Applications Group
0117 973 2040