Planning - Information
The Development Control section provides general planning advice, is responsible for considering and deciding planning and related applications, defending the refusal of planning permission on appeal and taking enforcement action against breaches of control.
Our customer service charter can be viewed below.
Planning Applications Service Charter
DOWNLOADIf you have a general and straightforward question about a town planning matter, you can contact the Duty Planner for advice between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday. This service is provided to personal visitors without an appointment and to telephone callers.
Guidance on Duty Planner Service
DOWNLOADPlease note that as from 10 August 2006, there is a complusory requirement to submit a Design and Access Statement with certain planning and listed building consent applications. There are also changes in the format of Outline Planning Applications. Guidance about these changes can be downloaded below.
Design and Access Guidance Note
DOWNLOADOutline Planning Application Guidance Note
DOWNLOADWe determine some 1500-1800 applications each year and 90% of these are dealt with under officer delegated powers. The Development Control Committee is a regulatory committee of the Council which deals with more controversial and larger scale developments. You can view forthcoming and previous agenda, reports and minutes on the Development Control Committee page.
Development Control Performance
The Department for Communities and Local Government sets targets for local authorities to determine planning applications. These are set as a % of applications received by category to be determined within a set period of time. The document below sets out how Three Rivers has performed against these targets for the last 4 financial years.
Development Control Performance 2004-08 (August 2008)
DOWNLOADSmoking Shelters
The Government has introduced statutory provisions banning smoking in wholly and substantially enclosed workplaces including public houses and restaurants. Guidance to those considering ways of providing facilities for smokers whilst also complying with the new legislation can be downloaded below.
Planning Guidance - Smoking Shelters
DOWNLOADAdvice on installing external lighting for residential properties
Advice on installing external lighting for residential properties
DOWNLOADEnforcement
Three Rivers District Council takes a firm approach to anyone breaching planning control. The following documents detail the role of the Enforcement Team of the Development Control Section.
Enforcement Guidance - Developers Guide
DOWNLOADEnforcement Guidance - Residents Guide DOWNLOAD
Changes to the Planning System 2008
The Planning system is being amended during 2008 though a number of measures. Permitted development rights are changing, fees will be increasing and the appeals system is under review. Further details will be added here when they are available.
Changes to Permitted Development Rights for Householder Microgeneration
DOWNLOADPlanning Conditions Discharge Fees 2008
DOWNLOADPlanning Guide for Neighbours DOWNLOAD
Sustainability and the Environment Seminar 2008
The powerpoint presentations of the Heads of Service who addressed the Council’s 2nd Annual Seminar held at Three Rivers House on 5th June 2008 are set out below. If you have any trouble opening these please contact geof.muggeridge@threerivers.gov.uk