The Planning Process
The first hurdle is validation. It can take about a week for officers to determine whether the application is technically proficient and has the right supporting documentation.
If valid, it will be placed on the planning register. You can search for the application via the Peak District National Park Authorities' Public Access Module. You can search by name, address or application reference number. Recent applications are shown on a Weekly List.
The application will be forwarded to neighbours and a variety of consultees including the local parish or town council and county highways. The National Park's ecologists, landscape architects or conservation officers may also be involved. Other organisations such as English Heritage, the Environment Agency, or Natural England may also be consulted. Neighbours and consultees have four weeks to register an objection.
The vast majority of applications are dealt with by an individual officer. The officer will make a site visit, consider the consultee representations and prepare a delegated report for the area manager and a decision issued.
Most full applications, including householder applications are dealt with within eight weeks from receipt of a valid application. Agricultural Notices or GPDO's will be dealt with in four weeks, major applications in twelve.
In exceptional circumstances, a development control officer may wish to delay determination - say pending receipt of further information.
Major and more complex applications will be dealt with by committee. An application may also go to committee, if for example one of the consultees takes a view which is contrary to the recommendation of the planning officer.
Editorial Comment
Planning within the Peak District National Park
Like elsewhere in the country, the planning system is being revised. The Local Development Framework, (LDF) is a collection of documents that outline how planning will be managed in the National Park. Documents include the Core Strategy, the Local Development Scheme, (LDS) and a variety of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD's).
The formal examination of the Core Strategy is due to take place in April 2011. The LDS was formally adopted in January 2011. The SPD's are due to be adopted in June 2011
For the present, most applications will be determined on the basis of saved local plan policies.
Culture
Development Control Officer's are accessible, open-minded and pro-active. Reviewing plans at an early stage increases the likelihood that the design is acceptable to both the client and the Peak District National Park Authority. The plans are more likely to approved without too many unresolved conditions. If problems do arise, during consultation, for example, then Officers will invariably discuss the implications with you.