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Information for Applicants and Agents

1. In order to provide a speedy service for applicants, Surrey Heath as a Local Planning Authority is subject to the current central government target that 80% of planning applications are determined within eight weeks.

2. In order to sustain a good service for applicants, various measures are being put in place, including targeting the Authority's time and resources towards the processing of planning applications.  This means that there are now fewer opportunities for negotiation and the submission of amendments on 'live' planning applications.

3. If your application is considered acceptable it will be determined without further reference to you or your agent.   If your application is considered to be clearly unacceptable, you will be invited to withdraw it prior to determination.

4. Amendments to 'live' applications will only be invited if the proposed change is very minor and the application can still be determined within the statutory period following all the necessary re consultations. Only one amendment may be entertained.

5. As most applications submitted to the Authority will be decided as submitted, pre-application discussions are encouraged, subject to staff resources being available.  Experience has shown that an appropriate level of discussion, depending on the complexity of the development proposals, can result in speedier application decisions and better developments.   If your application has to go to Committee, a Member/Officer site visit may be required prior to the Committee.   These usually happen on the Thursday immediately before the planning applications committee.  If such a visit is necessary the committee clerk will contact you to arrange details.

6. You are invited to visit this office to familiarise yourself with the various planning policy documents and other relevant information.  View Pre Application and Permitted Development advice or contact Surrey Heath Borough Council on 01276 707222.

7. All planning related highway matters are not dealt with by this Authority, but are the responsibility of Surrey County Council.  However, the Authority will seek the advice of the County Highway Authority as part of the application process.

8. Following the grant of planning permission, applicants may wish the Authority to determine whether amended plans can be dealt with as a non-material change to the permission i.e. the changes are of such a minor nature that they can be included as part of the original planning permission and thus a further application would not be necessary.  To enable the Authority to deal quickly with such requests, submissions which do not clearly highlight the proposed changes in colour and are not fully described in writing will not be considered further and will be returned.

9. The Authority's e-mail address is development.control@surreyheath.gov.uk.  Also planning services have gone 'online' on the Web at www.surreyheath.gov.uk.   Information provided includes the weekly list of new planning applications, recent decisions, current Committee agendas and application forms for downloading.

10. Please feel free to contact officers (or someone can do this on your behalf) if you are disabled and officers will offer appropriate assistance.

Info for applicants and agents.doc 12/1/2006.