As the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme continues to focus away from urban areas, the number of larger capacity biomass boilers are increasingly being installed in rural locations. Prior to installation, these boilers require planning permission and the sensitivity of a number of rural locations mean, in my opinion, developers are increasingly coming into contact with local opposition. To assist in these situations, WRM offers a complete planning application solution;
- In order to understand project requirements, our support package shall commence with a client consultation and draft of a scope of works. Following this, we will engage directly with the relevant local authority to source pre-application advice. Pre-application advice is always recommended by WRM. It important to note that pre-application advice can be variable in its quality and coverage and it may not always be considered comprehensive. Where these situations occur, WRM consultants have significant experience directly liaising with planning officers to ensure key elements or controversial aspects have been considered which may have otherwise been missed. For example, we would always expect an application for a biomass project to include an Air Quality Impact Assessment (AQIA), so if this requirement is missing, we would challenge this at the earliest possible opportunity. Through this advice, we can understand the necessary planning policies which need to be satisfied. To reiterate this point, by undertaking pre-application engagement, WRM can add further value to the process by looking to steer the application, particularly in instances where the planning officer appears unsure or uncertain on the proposal, using our previous experience to create precedent for the application.
- Once the pre-application stage is complete, WRM shall produce the core deliverables – the Planning Statement and Design & Access Statement. In our experience these documents are always required alongside the necessary location and layout plans. Any additional component studies (such as a Noise Impact Assessment or Air Quality Impact Assessment) outlined at the pre-application stage, will be completed at this stage. It is important to note that development documents at a local level should reflect the national picture.
- Drawings are a key aspect of most applications and need to be in a specific format for the local authority to validate the application. For most applications, a location plan and a site plan are required. A location plan should be in a scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500 (scale adjusted depending on size of site), point north, outline the application boundary in red and outline any land in blue which is owned by the client but not featured in the application. A site plan should be in a scale of 1:200 or 1:500 (scale adjusted depending on size of site), point north, outline buildings and roads in the immediate area, any trees at the site and surfacing details (this is not exhaustive). WRM are able to offer the production of drawings as part of our planning works package.
- Once the full application is drafted, WRM would submit the planning application via the national planning portal and provide confirmation to the client that it has been submitted. Fee charges for development are based on the ground cover/area of the project.
- When an application is received by the local authority, planning decisions are made by a two-tier approach. The planning officer reviews the application to make a recommendation based on their judgement and that recommendation is then taken forward to a planning committee who makes the final decision. In some instances, such as small applications, the officer can have delegated powers to make a decision without going to committee.
Whether it be a planning application for a proposed development, or support on a retrospective planning application, WRM have a vast technical knowledge and understanding of planning legislation allowing us to assist developers in successfully navigating the planning landscape.
Contact us today if you’d like to learn more.
