Planning applications normally take between 5 and 8 weeks to process, this being subject to the
complicatedness of the particular application and the case officers workload which can be effected by the officers holidays or sick leave or understaffing /
covering for other officers who may be on sick leave etc.
However before the above 5 to 8 week period can start, the Planning application must first be checked and registered by the Councils
validation department, which can take up to 10 working days.
Validation will check:-
(a) Planning application forms have been completed properly;
(b) Planning drawings are to the correct scale and include sufficient
detail;
(c) Etc.
Whilst most Architects / Agents submit applications to a high standard, some choose to be minimalistic
assembly for speed, so Planning validation either have to waste time and money asking for information that should have been
submitted automatically or accept lower standards, which could later cause extra work for the Planning Case Officer and cause
delay during the 5 to 8 week application.
To combat this some Councils have recently introduced an Accreditation scheme, asking Architects / Agents who generally provide
the required information automatically to register to become accredited and use the accreditation logo in their advertising to
give them an advantage over those who repetitively waste the Councils time and resources.
But
It's not just Architects / Agents that may have shortfalls. Some Council staff fail at times to communicate / provided the
required level of service which can detrimentally effect the outcome for paying applicants / you!
Whilst I have a good working relationship with the Planning department, there are times when I need to complain and I do so
very thoroughly, and Cc all those who look in and influence how the department is run.
Being able to complain (highlighting examples of poor service) when appropriate incentivizes poor performing staff to provide me
with the appropriate level of service for the benefit of my clients.
The problem with these new accreditation schemes as they stand at present is that they can be used to pressurize Accredited
Architects / Agents into not complaining when standards are poor, for fear of being de-accredited, which is likely to be seen
as worse than not registering in the first place.
The Government is consulting on ways to set up an independent body to check and register Planning applications
and independently accredit Architects / Agents. Removing the potential for abuse by some Planning Departments.
The only way to BUY WITH CONFIDENCE is to not pay for Plans until they are approved!
If an Architect or Agent says he can have your plans approved in 6 weeks rather than 8 weeks because he is accredited?
Ask him for a discount if he fails to achieve this shorter timescale as
promised,
And him not to charge you until after the plans are approved,
Ask him to appeal free of charge if in order to obtain the agreed approval.
I will.