Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration)

Many Local Planning Authorities, including Stockport, devote considerable time and effort to offering pre-application planning advice (PE) and see it as a key part of delivering a good planning service. A considerable number of requests for advice are of a speculative nature and do not lead to the submission of an application and currently the authority absorbs the cost of offering this service without any subsequent social, economic or environmental benefits. This report discusses the issues around these matters and builds on the decision of the authority to adopt a charging regime for Pre-application advice as part of a previously agreed budget saving and outlines the suggested charging schedule.

The Executive Meeting is recommended to endorse the proposed charging rates and enable the Development Management Service to introduce the charges from mid-October / Early November 2013.

Officer contact: Emma Curle, 0161 474 3542, emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals to introduce charges for pre-application advice in relation to development management issues. The proposals would ensure that Council resources could be better used to process and determine applications submitted and would bring the Council into line with other local authorities in the region. Charges for advice would vary according to the scale of the proposed development.

RESOLVED – That the proposed charging rates for pre-application advice in relation to development management matters as detailed under paragraph 1.17 of the report, be approved and that these charges be introduced from Mid-October/ Early November 2013.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report considers a proposal to introduce charges for the provision of pre-application advice as a means of ensuring that the planning system is a responsive one and becomes a key part to the delivery of quality planning proposals, economic growth and regeneration of their areas.

The Scrutiny Committee’s views are requested.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or e mail: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk.

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding proposals to introduce charges for pre-application advice in relation to development management issues. The proposals would ensure that Council resources could be better used to process and determine applications submitted and would bring the Council into line with other local authorities in the region. Charges for advice would vary according to the scale of the proposed development.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

A member raised the issue of whether the fee could be refunded should a development application subsequently be submitted.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.