Planning
The Planning Portal
The Planning Portal (www.planningportal.gov.uk) is the governmemt’s one-stop-shop for learning about planning and building regulations, applying for planning permission and building regulations consent, finding out about local development, appealing against a decision and researching government policy.
The Planning Inspectorate
The main work of the Planning Inspectorate (http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/) is the processing of planning and enforcement appeals and holding inquiries into local development plans. Its website provides advice on Local Development Frameworks, information on written advice by the Planning Inspectorate for use by its Inspectors, information on a specific appeal, planning appeal procedures and advice on how quickly one might expect a decision on an appeal.
Planning – England
The Department of Communities and Local Government ( www.communities.gov.uk) is the government department responsible for building regulations and planning in England. It has a key role to play in meeting the Government’s targets of a 20% decrease in CO2 emissions by 2010 and a 60% decrease by 2050. Sustainable development principles will be firmly embedded into Communities and Local Government’s identity, culture, policies, programmes and operations. It issues Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) and Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGNs) and their replacements Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) are prepared by the government after public consultation to explain statutory provisions and provide guidance on planning policy and the operation of the planning system. They also explain the relationship between planning policies and other policies, which have a bearing on issues of development and land use. Local authorities must take them into account in preparing their development plans. The principal PPSs and impacting hydropower are:
Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy. Includes a companion guide sets out the Government's policies for renewable energy, which planning authorities should take into account when preparing local development documents and when taking planning decisions.
Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development sets out planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system.
Planning Policy Statement 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas sets out the planning policies for rural areas.
Planning - Scotland
The Scottish Executive is responsible for planning policy in Scotland. The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 received Royal Assent on 16th November 2006. The Act updates the Town and Country (Scotland) Act 1997 and other primary legislation affecting planning. Implementation of the Act will commence in spring 2007. Work is starting on the preparation of Scotland’s second National Planning Framework (NPF2) setting out a strategy for Scotland's long-term spatial development. The Executive aims to publish NPF2 in 2008, providing a strategy for sustainable spatial development to 2030.
The National Planning Framework is supported by National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) and Planning Advice Notes (PAN) on specific issues.
NPPG6 on renewable energy covers planning applications for hydro schemes, is currently under review and the executive will issue a consultation document shortly. It will be important to make comment thereon. PAN 51 covers the environment. The central purpose of this PAN is to support the existing policy on the role of the planning system in relation to the environmental protection regimes. It operates alongside the land use planning system with the aim of ensuring that development takes place in suitable locations and is sustainable, while also providing protection from inappropriate development. PAN 45 covers renewable technologies.
Planning - Wales
Planning in Wales is the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales. The National Assembly issues national guidance. The Planning Policy Wales (PPW) was published in March 2002 and sets out the land use planning policies. It is supplemented by a series of Technical Advice Notes (TANs) and the development plan system (LDP). For more information see the National Assembly website: http://www.wales.gov.uk/.
Planning - Northern Ireland
The Department for Regional Planning in Northern Ireland is s the government department responsible for planning policy The Department’s functions, in relation to planning, are set out in the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. For more information see the Department’s website: www.drdni.gov.uk
Downloads
- A new Planning Bill was introduced to bring in a new system for approving major infrastructure of national importance and replaces the current processes under several pieces of legislation to streamline decision making and avoid long public inquiries. View PDF
