Planning Services

We know things are changing – faster than we would like. Climate change, peak oil, resource depletion, population growth, technology changes economic booms and bust, all contribute to a less than certain age. Many of these challenges seem beyond our control. However, the way we think about them and how we react as individuals, groups, organizations and networks is under our control.

Planning and designing for know changes. We know that we have seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter are predictable and can be planned for, and incorporated into our designs, management and action plans. How eco-systems change over time, we can accelerate the process and create productive ecosystems faster than is usual in nature.Forest gardens are an example of this, where all the layers of the forest are put in all in one go, rather than over many years.

Planning Applictions:

The success of any planning application will depend upon the quality of the information that is submitted. Unless you have experience or indeed feel confident in the planning application process, it is recommended that you engage with a consultant to act on your behalf. From completing the planning application forms to building regulations, you can rest assured that we can handle the paperwork on your behalf.

With the proposed drawings and forms completed, the planning application and appropriate fee are submitted to your local authority who will then determine your planning application. Unless you can demonstrate very good reasons to override planning policy, your application will be determined in line with the current policy for your particular area.

Points that will be looked at include the following:

number, size, layout, siting and external appearance of buildings,
proposed means of access, landscaping and impact on the neighbourhood
availability of infrastructure, such as roads, and water supply; and
Proposed use of the development.

The planning system operates on the basis that permission sought should always be granted – unless the proposal would “Cause demonstrable harm to issues of importance“. Whether or not planning permission can be obtained and if so that depends on two factors:
a) Whether the permission sought can be demonstrated to be within the policies of the development plan, which is intended to provide a basis for rational and consistent decisions on all applications and appeals.
b) ” Other material considerations” these are wide and varied and include National policies; Planning Officer’s Assessment, and all local environmental and ecological considerations.

Whilst the use of an using an EAPP consultant will incur a fee, as experience shows, this is often money well spent. An EAPP consultant will have the experience of working within your geographical area, will have a grasp of local regulations and policy and more often than not, will understand what your council will expect from any development. Moreover, whilst the completion of planning application forms is straightforward, if the forms have been incorrectly completed, it means that your application is not registered and valuable time is wasted. The key to any successful proposal is preparation. A badly-prepared Application which results in a refusal can make it difficult to submit a successful subsequent planning application later. And a badly-drafted planning appeal which results in a lost appeal will be even more damaging to future developments proposals.

Once your application has been registered, your local authority should decide it within 8 weeks. For various reasons, it may be that the authority is unable to do this and if this is the case, you should receive written confirmation that the authority intends to extend the period of determination. If the authority fails to do this, you can appeal on the grounds of non determination to the First Secretary of State. However, appeals can take time and it may well prove quicker to negotiate an agreement with the local authority.

Planning Appeals:

If your planning application is refused do not despair. The two routes available to you.

The first approach is for EAPP to work with you to negotiate an amendment with the Local Authority and get to a space where both parties are happy. EAPP will have to re-submit the amended planning proposal and await a decision by the Local Authority. In some cases if the Local Authority fails to reach a decision, we can appeal on the grounds of non –determination.
The second route is to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Only the person who made the application for planning permission can appeal. Appeals are considered by a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State in England.

Should you feel aggrieved and wish to pursue and appeal there are three processes available to you.

The written representation which is the preferred approach for the householder applications.
A hearing before the Inspector
An Inquiry is the most costly and is largely reserved for the most complicated of applications which tend to be strategic or national importance

As a rule of thumb appeals should be logged within 6 months of the date on the refused decision notice (12 weeks for householder appeals). If this date is not meet then the appeal will not be valid.

Why Appeal? According to the Planning Inspectorate, in the period 2009-10, - (16,927) appeals were received and of these, 5553 were allowed. In percentage terms, that means that all the appeals that were submitted, 33% were allowed. There is a 1 in 3 chance of your appeal being successful. Should you wish to pursue this approach, then let an EAPP consultant know who can act on your behalf.

Micro- Combined Heat and Power systems:

Planning Permission is not normally needed when installing a micro-combined heat and power system in a house if the work is all internal. If the installation requires a flue outside, however, it will normally be permitted development if the conditions outlined below are met.

Flues on the rear or side elevation of the building are allowed to a maximum of one metre above the highest part of the roof.

If the building is listed or in a designated area even if you enjoy permitted development rights it is advisable to check with your local planning authority before a flue is fitted. Consent is also likely to be needed for internal alterations.

In a conservation area or in a World Heritage site the flue should not be fitted on the principal or side elevation if it would be visible from a highway.

Ground Source Heat Pumps:

We are literally standing on a potential source of natural heat 2 meters below our feet? By virtue of the ground’s thermal mass, a constant temperature of 11-12 degree is maintained throughout the year. Embracing modern technology with ground source heat pumps can harvest this natural resource and provide space heating and hot water to our domestic properties.

It is unlikely that you would require planning permission for installation of a ground source heating system. If however you live in Conservation Area of Listed Building EAPP consultants will be able to help you investigate before starting an installation work.

Solar Panels:

Planning permission is not required if solar panels are fixed to the roof of a single dwelling house

The following apply to roof and wall mounted solar panels:-

Panels should not be installed above the ridge line and should project no more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface.
If your property is aListedBuilding, installation is likely to require an application for listed building consent, even where planning permission is not needed.
If your property is in a Conservation Area or in a World Heritage Site, planning consent is required when panels are to be fitted on the principal or side elevation walls and they are visible form the highway. If panels are to be fitted to a building in your garden or grounds, they should not be visible from the highway.All solar installations are also subject to the following:-

Panels on a building should be sited to minimise the effect on the appearance of the building.
Should be sited in order to minimise the effect on the amenity of the area.
Where they are no longer required for microgeneration, they should be removed as soon as possible.

Wind Turbine:

Electricity generated from the wind replaces generation from conventional power stations, thus preventing the emissions of several greenhouse gases, including carbon and sulphur dioxides. Wind turbines in the UK currently prevent the emission of one and three-quarter million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

Key Points:

Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in order to slow climate change. Fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, whereas wind energy produces no carbon dioxide.
Cleaner fuels: traditional fossil fuels contribute to air pollution which can cause respiratory disease, whereas wind energy is clean fuel with no harmful by-products.
Reduction of the country’s dependence on traditional energy sources: traditional energy reserves, e.g. oil, gas and coal. Are declining. Wind energy makes a country more self-sufficient, less reliant on energy imports and less vulnerable to security threats. Renewable energy sources ass diversity to energy supplies, providing a more dependable energy resource.
Wind is free and supplies are infinite: the wind is huge resource which can be easily being converted to electricity. Maximum electricity production from wind turbines occurs at times of peak electricity demand, e.g. cold windy winter days.
Value for Money: the cost of wind energy is now very price competitive compared with traditional energy sources.

Do I need Planning Permission?

Under new permitted development rights which came into force 1 December 2011 in some cases it will be possible to install domestic wind turbines without the need for an application for planning permission, so long as specified limits and conditions are met (see below).

On other cases you will need to apply for planning permission from you local authority to add a domestic wind turbine to your house, or grounds surrounding your home.

Wind Turbine: building mounted

The installation, alteration or replacement of a building mounted wind turbine can be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, provided ALL the limits and conditions listed below are met.

Individual clients: from 30/hr.

Business clients: from 55/hr.

We will charge for telephone negotiations or telephone enquiries to do with your application. Minimum charge £20/hr