Understanding Planning

UNDERSTANDING PLANNING

Overview

The planning system is the process of managing the development of land and buildings. Tits purpose is to preserve what is best of our heritage and to improve the infrastructure which affects all citizens.

The Government determines the National Planning Policy Framework and Local Authorities are responsible for deciding which planning applications can go ahead and impose conditions where necessary. The Localism Act 2011 devolved greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods and gave local communities more control over housing and planning decisions. A plain English guide to the Localism Act can be viewed here.

Town and Parish Councils have no direct authority over planning applications but must be asked for their views before any application is approved by a Local Authority.

Towns and Parishes and also Neighborhood Forums can create Neighbourhood Development Plans which when fully completed directly affect the planning decisions made by the Local Authority.

Members of the public can comment or object to any planning application and their views must be taken into account.

Central Bedfordshire District Council (CBC)

To exercise its responsibilities for planning CBC has produced a Development Strategy for Central Bedfordshire (Revised Pre-submission Version) June 2014 which together with its many supporting policies sets out what can be developed in Central Beds. There’s also a simpler version here. For more information on Planning in Central Beds visit the Planning pages on CBC’s website.

Moggerhanger Parish Council

As far as we know Moggerhanger Parish Council does not have a formal planning policy. It is requested to comment on every planning application by CBC and its views are taken into account when the application is decided.

The Chairman of the Parish Council said at an open Planning Meeting on 9 February 2014:

The Parish Council has a planning sub-committee consisting of five members who are responsible for responsible for reviewing the CBC website to ensure councillors are familiar with the plans. There will be separate open planning meetings held to enable parishioners to comment or voice any concerns they have. If planning applications fall at a time of a formal Parish Council meeting then parishioners must voice any comments or concerns during the 15 minutes allocated at the start of the meeting as they will not be able to comment during the formal part of the meeting.

Parishioners

• Can comment or object to any planning application.
• Must be consulted by CBC if any planning application directly affects them or their property.
• Can attend and comment at open Parish Council Planning Meetings.
• Can attend Parish Council Meetings and speak within the fifteen minutes allotted to parishioners.
• Can apply to speak at CBC Development Managements Committee Meeting when planning applications affecting them are being decided.
• Can participate in or support the Moggerhanger action group known as Moggerhanger Acting Together for Housing and Safety (MATHS).