Like all authorities, Norwich City Council has a scheme of delegation that allows certain types of applications to be decided by planning officers.
Details of the scheme of delegation
A. Planning applications, listed building applications and hazardous substances consent applications
All applications will be determined by the area development managers with the exception of the following:
(1) approval of major[1] or minor[2] planning applications if:
(a) subject to two or more objections raising material planning issues provided that said objections are received within the statutory consultation period or, in the case of revised plans, any subsequent formal consultation period; or
(b) the proposal would represent a significant departure from the adopted development plan.
(2) Where a member of the city council requests, within six weeks of a Major application becoming valid or within four weeks of a Minor or Other application becoming valid, and an appropriate planning justification is made, that the application be referred to the committee for decision.
(3) Applications submitted by a member of the city council, a member of staff, or the immediate family[3] of an elected member or member of staff who works in the planning service. This excludes applications where Norwich City Council is the applicant.
(4) Non-major[1] or non-minor[2] applications where Norwich City Council is the applicant and if subject to four or more objections from neighbours and/or third parties citing material planning issues provided that said objections are received within the statutory consultation period or, in the case of revised plans, any subsequent formal consultation period.
B. Prior notifications
All applications will be determined by the area development managers with the exception of the following:
(1) In the case of telecoms cabinets, masts or antennae under Part 25 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 as amended which are subject to two or more objections from neighbours and/or other third parties citing issues of siting and/or appearance (these being the only matters for which prior approval is required) that the area development managers decision must be subject to consultation with the chair and vice chair of the planning applications committee if one or more ward councillors so request within 21 days of advertisement, neighbour consultation or publication of the weekly list.
C. Planning enforcement
All decisions will be made by the area development managers.
D. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and applications for tree works in conservation areas or protected by TPOs
All decisions will be made by the area development managers with the exception of:
(1) The confirmation of a tree preservation order served where there are 5 or more objections to that order UNLESS the order relates to a site upon which there is an existing order.
E. Applications for Permission in Principle and for Technical Details Consent
All decisions will be made by the area development managers.
F. Other
Any Items which the director of regeneration and development considers appropriate to refer to the planning applications committee.
[1] major is defined by central government as applications for 10 or more dwellings, outline applications for residential development on sites over 0.5ha, or offices, research, industrial, warehousing or retail development over 1,000 sq m or over 1ha for outline applications.
[2] minor is defined as proposals involving 1-9 dwellings and/or up to 1,000sqm of new build non-dwelling development (including non-residential extensions). For the avoidance of doubt this excludes proposals involving no increase in floor area, residential extensions, changes of use, adverts and listed building consent applications.
[3] immediate family is defined as a husband/wife/partner/son/daughter/mother/father/brother/sister and equivalent in-laws.
17 September 2020
