Planning applications
- additional guidance
Careful consideration is given to
the merits of every planning application that we receive and there
are a number of things taken into account before a decision is
reached.
Compliance with Newham's Planning Policies
Our Unitary Development Plan covers the whole of
the borough and sets out how land and buildings shall be used. It
also states the policies by which planning applications are
decided.
(a) Design and Layout
All developments should be of a high quality of design and
should meet the standards set out in the Unitary Development Plan.
We will encourage developers to meet standards set out in the
Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) notes. New developments
should take into account the scale and character of neighbouring
properties. The materials, layout and circulation space should be
suitable for the uses to which the building will be put, and
designed for the specific needs of the prospective occupiers - this
will include the needs of groups such as women, children, and
elders.
(b) Access for Disabled People
The development of land and buildings provides the opportunity
to secure an environment that is accessible to all members of the
community. As such we will expect that all new developments are
designed to be accessible to all disabled people. Detailed design
information is available in
SPG note number 2 and from Planning
Officers.
(c) Community Safety
All new developments should be designed to ensure that a safe
and secure environment is created. Specific guidance on how this
can be achieved is contained within the
SPG note number 13 'Planning for Community
Safety'.
(d) Natural Light
New buildings should have adequate natural light and should
respect the needs of surrounding buildings or land for sunlight and
daylight.
(e) Privacy
New developments should not result in unreasonable loss of
privacy or overlooking of neighbouring property.
(f) Landscaping
New developments should be accompanied by a scheme of
landscaping and planting. Where appropriate existing trees should
normally be retained or replaced elsewhere within the site.
Specific details of our landscaping requirements are given in
SPG note number 14 on 'Residential Planning
Guidelines'.
(g) Nuisance
We will want to make sure that neighbours are not disturbed by
developments which are noisy, smelly, dusty or in any other way
polluting.
(h) Traffic
We will resist proposals which would cause traffic congestion or
make roads less safe.
(i) Road Access and Servicing
Proposals for new developments should include adequate access
for vehicles. Schemes must show sufficient space for all loading,
unloading and manoeuvring of vehicles to take place within the
boundaries of the site, to avoid causing traffic hazards on the
adjoining roads.
(j) Car Parking
Proposals for new buildings or particular changes of use must
include enough space for all the cars and other vehicles likely to
visit the site. Specific minimum and maximum car parking
requirements for certain types of development are given in SPG note
number 16 'Parking Standards', and
Appendix T2 of
the Transport Chapter of the UDP.
Consultations
Depending
on the nature, location and size of your proposal, we will consult
a number of people likely to be affected by or interested in your
proposed development. These people may include the nearest
neighbours to the site, Local Residents' Associations, other
council Departments and bodies such as the fire brigade, gas, water
and electricity authorities. Certain types of application require
the display of a site notice or have to be advertised in a local
newspaper.
By law any letters or comments received by interested parties
concerning planning applications and declared as "background
papers" can be inspected by anyone for a period of up to four years
after the date of the relevant Environment Committee.
Your application may be considered at a public meeting of our
Environment Committee. This Committee is made up of elected
councillors and meets about every four weeks. All views received
are taken into account and the Committee decides whether to grant
or refuse planning permission. Alternatively, your application may
be determined by the Head of Environmental Management, acting under
authority from the Environment Committee. These 'delegated'
decision meetings are usually held once a week, to decide
smaller-scale proposals, such as extensions to dwelling houses and
certain changes of use. The planning officer dealing with your
application will be able to tell you whether it will be reported to
Committee or dealt with under 'delegated powers' by the Head of
Environmental Management Service.
We believe in open government. All Committee meetings are open to
the public, in buildings that are accessible for all. Agendas for
committee meetings are available at the reception area of East Ham
Town Hall a few days beforehand. The relevant committee agendas are
also available at the meetings themselves. Agendas can be made
available on tape, in large print or Braille and in addition
language interpreters and British Sign Language interpreters can be
provided.
We can grant planning permission, with conditions, or refuse it.
Reasons will be given for those conditions attached to a planning
permission and also when planning permission is refused.
Examples of conditions which might be attached to a pianning
permission are: to restrict the use to a limited period of years;
to specify details of the building materials to be used; to specify
the number of car parking spaces to be provided; and to ensure that
landscaping is set out as shown on the submitted plans.
If you do not accept our decision, either against refusal or
against a particular condition, or against the our failure to give
a decision within the legally defined period (usually 8 weeks),
there is a right of appeal to the Secretary of State for the
Environment.
For more information concerning the appeal procedure contact:
The Planning Inspectorate
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN
Tel: 0117 372 8000
Email:
enquiries@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk
Planning Inspectorate website
An independent professional advice service is also available
from:
Planning Aid for London
5 Calvert Avenue
London E2 7JP
Tel: 020 7613 4435
Who else
should I talk to?
In addition to planning permission you may need the consent of the
following for your proposal:
Newham Building Control
Most construction work will require approval under
the Building Regulations, this includes new buildings, extensions,
conversions, alterations, re-roofing, fit-outs, installation and
alteration of services, and changes of use (even where there is no
building work involved). The Regulations deal with Health and
Safety of people, Sustainability and Accessibility. The Building
Control Team will examine plans and details of the proposals and
carry out site inspections as work progresses. They will issue
completions certificates upon the successful completion of a
project. There is a duty officer service available from 9am -1pm to
provide help and advice. Further details of the service and
application forms can be found in the
Building
Control section of the website
Newham Environmental Health
Advice on standards
concerning pollution, noise, food preparation, hazardous materials
and health and safety at work can be obtained from the Council's
Environmental Health Service.
For advice and information contact:
Housing and Public Protection
Third Floor
Westside
Newham Dockside
1000 Dockside Road
London, E16 2QU
020 8430 2000