How to make a planning application

 

This page describes how to make a planning application and what happens once an application has been made.

 

There are also some useful links at the bottom of the page to help you through the process.

 

You can apply online for planning permission, the advantages of using this service can be found on our online application pages.

 

Alternatively, you can submit your application by filling in our application forms which can be printed from this website, posted to you or collected from First Point, Howden House. 

 

There is a simplified form for alterations or extensions to houses and explanatory notes are provided with the forms, but if you have any difficulty you can ask the First Point staff or contact the Team for your area.  If your application raises more complex planning issues, it may be necessary for you to include a supporting submission.

 

If you are applying for planning permission, talk to the Council's planners before going to great expense with plans and certainly before buying a property! You can get free advice by writing in, or phoning and if necessary, arrange a meeting with a planner.

 

You should have your plans prepared by a suitably qualified agent who will deal with all the paperwork, unless you are able to do it yourself.  Do think carefully about whether you or your agent can prepare any technical drawings and supporting statements required, because many poorly prepared applications are declared invalid and delayed or refused planning permission.

 

The Planning Service is also concerned that some refusals, particularly from ethnic minority applicants, might have been avoided if a suitably experienced agent had been involved in helping with the preparation of the proposals.  If you do decide to use an agent, check that they either have a proven track record with this type of application or the required skills.

When the application forms are completed, they should be handed in at First Point along with the plans and appropriate fee or posted to:

Planning Division
Development Services,
Howden House,
1 Union Street,
SHEFFIELD,
S1 2SH.

 

 

 

We check all new applications to make sure that the forms, plans, fee and other information are all complete. If it's not all there, we'll contact the applicant or agent for the missing bits. Many applications have to be sent back as they are incomplete. We provide validation checklists to help you avoid this.

Once everything is correct, the Planner for the area will look at the proposal, check the planning policies and consult other people involved (such as Highways, Drainage and Environmental Health officers). The site will be visited by the Planner.

 

All planning applications are given wide publicity so that local people know what is proposed - the views of local people are important to the Council and are always examined. All application forms and plans are available for inspection at First Point, Howden House (Monday-Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm).  Basic details are listed on the Planning Weekly List page of this website and, later in 2005 all details, including any plans and any amendments, will be available on this website.

 

If you need to discuss a plan please telephone the Planners first to check when they can see you. If you want to express views on an application, please put them in writing. 

 

Please Note: ALL representations will be placed on the Planning Application file that is open to the public, and from later in 2005 will be published on this website.

 

The Planner will assess the proposal, consider any views received from other parties and may discuss any necessary alterations with the applicant. Then, a recommendation is made to grant or refuse planning permission.

 

Minor, non-controversial applications will be dealt with by a senior Council officer who has been given the authority to make planning decisions. This is known as a delegated decision.

 

The recommendation for a major scheme or controversial planning application will be made to one of the city's two Area Boards where Councillors will make a decision. Councillors may accept the recommendation or discuss the proposal further before deciding to accept or reject the application. Sometimes they will need to visit the site to be sure of making the right decision. This type of decision is known as a committee decision.

 

In Sheffield everyone is given the chance to speak at Council meetings, including the applicant, but any comments you wish to make should be given in writing even if you intend to speak.

 

Please say which application concerns you!   Each application has its own 'Case Number', e.g. 02/01234/FUL, which should be quoted in any correspondence.

 

 

Once a decision to grant or refuse planning permission has been made, applicants will be sent a "notice" including any conditions.

If an application is refused or conditions imposed, the applicant may appeal to the Secretary of State within six months of the date of the notice, using a form which may be obtained from The Planning Inspectorate, Customer Support Unit, Room 3/15 Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, Tel: 0117 372 6372.

 

If the refusal is felt to be unjustified the Secretary of State may grant permission with or without conditions. The views of the public will again be considered; however, the public themselves cannot appeal against the Council granting a permission they disagree with.

Once permission is granted, the development can begin and the Developer is responsible for making sure the plans are strictly followed and any conditions imposed are complied with. If they are not, the Council can intervene. 

 

 

Some decisions are subject to legal agreement, for example if the applicant decides to pay the Council to improve open space near the site to meet the needs of the development (and benefit the wider community).  In these cases a decision notice will not be issued until the legal agreement has been signed.  The council will be transparent and open about legal agreements, to show that these are just another way of meeting proper planning requirements.

 

To minimise delay, an applicant should prepare a draft agreement in advance wherever possible and submit it with the application.  The Council publishes Supplementary Planning Guidance and draft unilateral and joint legal agreements, to assist applicants to prepare this aspect of an application in advance.