Planning
and Development Control
O
ne of the major influences on the countryside, and, indeed on
much of the environment is development of new buildings,
land uses, changes to existing buildings, and so on. Much of this activity is
controlled by the planning system. This system, based on the Town & Country
Planning Acts (of which there have been several) and some other Acts, is immensely
complicated and often confusing. However, used wisely it can be a very powerful
weapon to those wishing to preserve or enhance certain areas - be they countryside
or urban.
There is a huge and ever-changing body of information about
planning and planning law (a bit of which is online), so don't expect to find
much of it here on Naturenet. But read on, don't worry, as we will supply you
with a few essential elements, and pointers to find out plenty more.
Like most legal issues, if it is a matter which is important
to you you are strongly advised to get professional advice before making any
decisions. Just because you read it on the Internet dosn't mean it's true enough
to bet your house on (unless its on Naturenet, of course). Planning consultants
are not too expensive and could save you a pile of money and trouble.
Planning Sanity:
an organisation campaigning for reform of the planning system, organised from
the viewpoint of local community groups and campaigns.
Planning Aid: a voluntary
service offering free, independent and professional advice on town planning
matters to community groups and individuals who cannot afford to employ a planning
consultant. It aims to give people the confidence to help themselves and to
become involved in planning issues. They give good advice and if you're confused
about any planning issue and don't know where to start, this is the place to
go.
Planning Help: CPRE Planning help
website. Full of useful advice and information, and all done with landscape
and conservation in mind. Very good.
Glossary
of Planning Terms: a great directory from the marvellous Brent Council website.
How to object
to or support a planning proposal: a good no-nonsense summary of the way
to approach it.
Legislation
relating to Buildings Conservation: from the marvellous Brent Council website.
The Planning Portal: the Government's
official planning pages for England and Wales particularly; with a huge amount
of information and services online.
Environmental Impact
Assessments: people often get quite worked up about these, but they are
not really what they sound as though they are. Just because it includes the
word 'environmental' doesn't mean it is anything to do with green conservation.
You need to know exactly what you are doing if you are going to argue legal
matters on the basis of an EIA, so get some proper advice before you do. Follow
the link for the official pages anyway.
Planning advice: - online
planning advice (as the name might suggest), from The Royal Town Planning Institute.
Froglife (pdf):
fact sheet on protecting herptiles from adverse planning decisions and other
threats - big download but well worth it.
Tree Preservation Orders
(TPOs)
Archaeologists
and Development Campaign Strategy: an interesting document which would be
worth reading if you are considering planning a campaign against a development,
even if it is nothing to do with archaeology.
About Listed Buildings.
Community Planning Website:
promoting more local involvement in the planning and management of the environment.
Beating the Developers: An Activist’s
Guide to the Planning System: a comprehensive and well-informed guide, in
simple terms, to the planning system and how to operate it from the point of
view of an objector. Available to download as a zipped file so you can read
it at your leisure. Good bits on Forward Planning, Development Control, Planning
conditions, Structure Plans, Local Plans and UDPs.
Trees
in Conservation Areas
Protected Sites:
Naturenet's index of sites with designations, which includes many giving special
planning protection.
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Naturenet