by Ray George
I was motivated to write my article in the previous newsletter, by seeing that a resident had made planning applications for things I thought did not require them: like-for-like replacement of windows, front gates and a gravel parking area. Chris Lyons, the City Council’s Planning and Development Manager, has now clarified this.
On replacement windows:
We have discussed this matter within the Planning Department and have agreed that where windows are replaced that are not discernibly different to the existing windows (i.e, like-for-like) then no development will have taken place and therefore consent is not needed. Obviously if the windows are different in any way, even where the glazing bars are thicker, then I would advise any resident to check with the Historic Environment Team before purchase or installation. We try to be pragmatic but we are also aware that small cumulative changes can have a significant impact on a Conservation Area.
On gates and gravel driveway
I have looked into this matter and agree that it does not appear that the proposal required planning permission as the permitted development rights do not appear to have been removed either by the article 4 notice or by conditions on the planning permission. When we receive a planning application we proceed to determine it in good faith that permission was required and unfortunately do not have the resources to check every application submitted to see if permission was needed. As I’m sure you are aware, determining if permission is needed is not as simple a task as it sounds and would take considerable time. The team that process the applications initially are not qualified planning officers and so they would not be expected to check this.
While reading the above explanation, bear in mind that this was a retrospective application.