Making a planning application
What will I find on these pages?
These pages give general guidance about how to make applications
for planning permission.
Who do I apply to?
With the exception of sites within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs
National Park (see below), you apply to The Development Quality
Manager, The Environment Service, Perth and Kinross Council, Pullar
House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5GD.
You can apply for
planning permission online,
download planning forms or pick up an application form from the
local Council offices in Perth, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Blairgowrie,
Auchterarder, Crieff and Kinross.
What if I live in the area covered by the Loch Lomond and
Trossachs National Park?
For those resident in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National
Park, planning applications are made to:
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Authority
Carrochan
Carrochan Road
Balloch
G83 8EG
References to "the council" or "local planning
authority" in these planning web-pages will usually mean the
National Park Authority, which deals with most planning matters
relating to land within the park.
Do I have to make the application myself?
It is possible to make the application yourself but most
applicants appoint an agent (for instance, an architect, a
solicitor, or a builder) to prepare their proposals and make the
application. You or your agent should read our 'Planning Application Guidance Notes' [PDF:
91Kb] and use the appropriate
planning forms.
Who can make an application?
Anyone can make an application, irrespective of who owns the
land or buildings concerned. However, if you are not the owner, or
if you have only part-ownership, you have to inform the owner or
those who share ownership, including any leaseholder whose lease
still has seven or more years to run, and any agricultural tenant,
using the forms provided in
planning forms.
What do we check?
You make your planning application to us and most must come with
a fee. When we get an application we give it a number and
then we examine it to make sure the forms are filled in
(including the separate forms concerning ownership), the
drawings and plans have enough information to allow us to make a
decision and the fee is correct. In order to ensure
applications are properly completed applicants should refer to our
Planning Application Guidance Notes [PDF:
91Kb].
Please note that only one set of plans needs to accompany
your application
Many applicants suffer delays because they have not followed this
Guidance. Common errors include;
- not including the Land Ownership Certificate
- not following the guidance on providing a location plan to
a suitable scale with adequate information to locate the
site
- not providing a scale and a scale bar on plans
- not including all the necessary land, including any access as
far as the public road, within the 'red line' boundary of the
application site
- not colouring up new work clearly on plans
When we have made these checks and are happy that we have
everything we need we advertise the application in local newspapers
and carry out any consultations which may be required.
What happens to my planning application?
Once we have made these checks and are happy that the
application can be registered we will start to consider your
application. The process is explained more fully in 'What happens to my valid
planning application' [PDF: 28Kb]' but a summary is
given below.
Who do we consult?
Depending on the nature of the application, it is often
necessary for the Planning Service to carry out consultations,
either within the Council (for example with our Roads or Pollution
Control colleagues) or externally with 'statutory consultees' such
as Government agencies (for example the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency on some flooding matters, Scottish Water on
drainage and sewage matters) and Community Councils.
How do we publicise planning
applications?
The applications we receive each week are made up into a 'weekly
list' and copies are sent to Councillors, Community Councils, other
people or groups who have let us know they want to receive the
list. The list is also available in libraries and on the web
site through planning applications online. In
addition the Council will have sent out
neighbour notifications as soon as the application is
considered to be valid. All planning applications and applications
for listed building consent are also advertised by the Council in
the 'Perthshire Advertiser' on Fridays. It is a statutory
requirement that in most cases the cost of advertising planning
applications is recovered by the Council from the applicant before
a decision can be issued. The application will be available to
be studied by the public at Pullar House, and online at planning applications online. Anyone can
comment on the application, not just the immediate
neighbours.
Do we keep a list of planning applications that have still to
be decided?
Planning applications which we still have to make a decision on
are kept in the "Part I Register". You can see this at
the Planning Reception in Pullar House. You can also
view and track the progress of planning applications by going
to the planning applications online page.
Can anyone comment on a planning
application?
Anyone can comment (make representation) on an
application. If you can, you should make your comments using
our online comments form or by email to DevelopmentManagement@pkc.gov.uk,
or in writing to Development Management, Planning &
Regeneration, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5GD
within the time period given in the press notice.
You should note that any comment you make cannot be treated as
confidential and note that all letters of representation, including
all address details and signatures, will be treated as public
documents and will, for instance, be displayed for public
inspection on the planning applications online pages relevant to
the application that you have commented on or are looking at and
will be available for anyone to view. We do not accept anonymous
submissions but you are not required to supply your
signature.
It may also be necessary to make them available to the
applicant/agent to seek resolution of concerns. Material which
forms part of an application and on which the final decision is
based must also be available for public inspection.
Who do we consult?
There are several statutory consultations which we need to do
but these will depend on the type of application. We would normally
ask for the opinion of the Senior Engineer in Development
Management on roads and some drainage issues, the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency on some flooding matters, Scottish
Water on drainage and sewage matters, Environmental Health if
it's possible that there might be noise or smells caused by the
development and Community Greenspace if there are trees
on the site.
Will we visit the site?
We will also visit the site and assess any responses we get from
consultees or comments from the public.
Will changes be made before a decision is
taken?
We may discuss changes with you or the applicant or their agent
before we make a decision on your application. Any changes
suggested will be based on our assessment and any comments we have
received. However, if the required changes are significant the
application will normally need to be withdrawn and a fresh one
submitted. Fuller details are given in the 'What happens to my planning application?' [PDF:
28Kb]' guide.
How do we assess your application?
Planning applications are decided in line with the Development
Plan unless there are very good planning reasons not to do so. Some
of the things we will look at when we consider your planning
application are the - number, size, layout, siting and external
appearance of buildings proposed, means of access, landscaping,
impact on the neighbourhood, availability of infrastructure (such
as roads and schools) and the compatibility of the proposed use
with its surroundings. Fuller details of the importance of the
Development Plan and of 'material considerations' are given in 'How do I comment on a planning application?'
[PDF: 32Kb]
Developer Contributions
Across Scotland local authorities, including Perth and Kinross,
are having difficulty maintaining and developing infrastructure in
order to keep up with the pressures of new development. Additional
funding sources beyond that of the local authority are required to
ensure that infrastructure constraints do not inhibit sustainable
economic growth. The
Developer Contributions page and associated downloads set out
the legal basis for and the general principles of developer
contributions. Such contributions provide a means to enable
proposed developments to proceed whilst meeting the needs of the
local community through the funding of infrastructure and
services.
In addition, developments of more than four dwellings normally
require the provision of affordable housing or, where appropriate,
a financial contribution instead. More details of these
requirements can be found on the
Affordable Housing page of the website.
Deciding the application
Most planning applications are decided by a senior planning
official rather than by Councillors. The Council's
Scheme of Delegation lays down when officials have powers
to make a decision. However if your application is to be considered
by the Development Control Committee you will be informed in
advance and you may request to address the Committee. The
Development Control Committee meets at 9:30 am in the Council
Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth on the following dates in 2011
-2012:
- 7 December 2011
- 18 January 2012
- 15 February 2012
- 7 March 2012
- 18 April 2012
