Officer Decisions

To approve the adoption of the revised validation requirements for the submission of planning applications.

Approved

As set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, local planning authorities should publish a list of their information requirements for planning applications, which should be proportionate to the nature and scale of development proposals and reviewed on a frequent basis. The Planning Practice Guidance recommends the local list to be reviewed every two years. Devon County Council’s existing Validation Requirements were adopted on 14^th September 2015 and, therefore, a review has taken place.

The review has followed the process recommended by the Planning Practice Guidance. A review of the existing local list resulted in a number of updates being required. A consultation took place between the 4^th August 2017 and the 8^th September 2017on these proposed changes. One response was received which considered that minor proposals should not have to provide a number of documents, for example a planning statement. It is considered the circumstances in which documents are required are reasonable; however, amendments have been made to make it clear that these documents should be proportionate and specific to the development.

Taking this response into account, and the subsequent alterations, it is recommended that the revised local list is adopted to provide up to date requirements for planning applications.

Without an adopted local list planning applicants would be required only to provide a minimal level of information as set out In the national requirements. This would be likely to result in inadequate information submitted with planning applications leading to poorer decision making and delays in the planning process.

None