| Local councils as developers |
|
Normally, where a local (ie parish or town) council wishes to carry out development, it must apply for planning permission in the normal way. With two exceptions, local councils have no particular privileges and their proposals will be assessed by the LPA (local planning authority) on their merits, in the context of planning policies. Within the planning system, there are two concessions which may benefit local councils when they are carrying out developments: Permitted Development: the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 defines certain developments which councils may carry out without the necessity of applying for planning permission. This includes the erection of a range of small buildings, and structures such as barriers, flagpoles, shelters, etc, not exceeding 4 metres in height or 200 cubic metres capacity. Planning fees: planning application fees are subject to a discount, when the applicant is a local council. In addition to these planning concessions, local councils also enjoy certain concessions under the Control of Advertisement Regulations. In brief, these give the local council ‘deemed consent’ to erect various signs, adverts and notice-boards. |