2.1 The user guide aims to clarify how the Local Plan should be used by applicants. It will provide an understanding of which policies may determine your planning application.
2.2 A recent amendment to planning legislation means that Warwick
District Council have chosen to adopt a new structure for the Local Plan. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill is
due to be formally adopted in April 2004 and will abolish local plans and structure plans. The Government wants to see
more effective planning at the Regional level by introducing Regional Spatial Strategies. Local plans will also change
format and be replaced by Local Development Frameworks, comprising a series of Local Development Documents, including
Statements of Community Involvement (SCI). The Government is keen for us to make progress on the Local Plan Review
pending the introduction of the new system. The review has therefore been structured to be easily converted and adapted
into a Local Development Framework (LDF). In 2004, parliament approved the Planning & Compulsory Purchase
Act, heralding some major changes to the planning system. One of these will see the gradual replacement of local plans
with "Local Development Frameworks". These will comprise a series of planning policy documents prepared at different
times by the planning authority. While the new Act was in preparation, the Government asked that those local
authorities that were preparing local plans to put these in a format that was "Local Development Framework friendly".
This approach includes having a clear and separate core strategy, the grouping of policies relating to a specific area
(such as the town centres) and bringing together all the site specific policies in one place. These principles have
helped guide the format that the council has used for this local plan.
2.3 The structure of the Local Plan is set out in a format and style that aims to ensure that the user is aware of all relevant policies. This will help the applicant to put together an application which is sustainable and addresses all the relevant issues applicable to the proposed development.
2.3a It is a key principle of this Local Plan that users should have regard to all relevant policies when considering development on a particular site. Individual polices do not seek to cover all potentially relevant matters where this is otherwise covered by another policy. For example, most policies will not refer directly to matters of layout and design, protecting the amenity of nearby uses and residents, access or parking since these issues are covered under policies DP1, DP2, DP6 and DP7 respectively. Whilst some policies do make a specific cross reference to other policies, the absence of a named cross reference should not be interpreted as meaning that this policy is not relevant.
2.4 The following indicative sequence sets out how and what
to evaluate your planning proposal against the policies of the Local Plan. You will need to follow the steps
outlined below:-
Look at the Proposals Map and Inset Plans
2.5 The Proposals Map and Inset Plans define the area to which your application relates and show whether there are any constraints which should be applied to your application. The site could be:-
- covered by a specific policy, see Site Specific Policies in Chapter 10;
- within a designated area, see Designated Area Policies in Chapter 9;
- within the rural area, see Rural Area Policies in Chapter 8;
- within a town centre, see Town Centre Policies in Chapter 7;
- within an urban area, see Urban Area Policies in Chapter 6; and/or
- covered by a particular notation, check the key to see which policy is relevant, e.g. if it is covered by a local shopping centre symbol, see Urban Area Policy 4.
2.5a The district wide proposals map outlines the policies and designations which apply across the district. The main urban areas are shown on the Warwick & Leamington Urban Inset (proposals map part 2) and the Kenilworth Inset (proposals map part 5). Proposals for Leamington and Warwick town centres are shown on the Leamington town centre inset (part 3) and Warwick town centre inset (part 4). In addition there are five A4 inset plans which show the specific areas of:
- Lapworth (Kingswood)
- Hampton Magna
- Barford
- Coventry Airport / Siskin Drive
- Bishops Tachbrook.
Look at Chapter 5, Sustaining Communities
2.6 Does your proposal help to sustain a community? Helping to create mixed communities that can have access to services, leisure and community infrastructure, maintains and encourages a vibrant and sustainable quality of life.
The final assessment is against the Development Policies
2.7 The aim of the Development Policies is to act as a sustainability checklist, once all the other policies have been met. The policies are applicable to all development proposals, whether for a new housing scheme, an extension to a factory, a change of use or a conversion of a dwelling to a business.
In all cases refer to the key for help.
How do I find out what policies should apply to a particular site?
Firstly, locate the site on the Proposals Map and Inset Plans and then please follow the steps below.
Planning Information
2.8 Planning applications are determined primarily against the
policies in the Local Plan. The following points are assessed and considered when determining a planning
application:-
- planning policies within the Local Plan and contained within supplementary planning guidance or supplementary planning documents;
- number, size, layout, siting, affordability and external appearance of buildings;
- representations of objection and support;
- proposed means of access, landscaping and impact on the neighbourhood/ streetscene;
- availability and suitability of infrastructure, such as roads, drainage and water supply;
- proposed use of the development; and
- environmental impact and sustainability issues.
You can select an agent to submit the application on your behalf, for example, an architect, or draughtsperson. Or you can make the application yourself.
2.9 Anyone can make an application, irrespective of who owns the land
or buildings concerned. However, if you are not the owner, or are in if you have only
part-ownership, you have are required to inform the owner or those who share ownership, including
any leaseholder whose lease still has seven or more years to run, and any agricultural tenant.
2.10 If you have a query regarding the submission of a planning application you can write an informal letter detailing as much information as possible, including a sketch of the proposal with some idea of the size and proportions, to a Planning Officer. Please allow at least 10 working days for a reply. Alternatively officers are usually available after 2pm for inquiries, depending on their workload and commitments.
2.11 The following general planning guidance and advice is available from reception at Riverside House. Those marked with an asterisk* are available via the Councils website:-
- Planning: A Guide For Householders - What you need to know about the planning system (ODPM)
- Planning Permission: A Guide For Business (DTLR)
- A Guide for Householder Planning Applications, with an application form (Warwick District Council)*
- A Guide for Planning Applications, with an application form (Warwick District Council)*
- A Guide for Listed Building and Conservation Area Consent Application, with application form (Warwick District Council)*
- Distance Separation: Supplementary Planning Guidance (Warwick District Council)
- The 45 Degree Guideline: Suplementary Planning Guidance (Warwick District Council)
- A Householder`s Planning Guide for the Installation of Satellite Television Dishes (DTLR)
- Agricultural Buildings and Conversion (Warwick District Council)*
- Design Advice on Shopfronts and Advertisements in Warwick and Leamington Spa (Warwick District Council)*
- Painting the Facades of Buildings in The Conservation Area of Royal Leamington Spa (Warwick District Council)*
- Grants for Historic Buildings in the Warwick District (Warwick District Council)*
- Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas (Warwick District Council)*
- Windows in Listed Buildings (Warwick District Council)*
- Roofs on Listed Buildings (Warwick District Council)*
- Security for Retail Premises (Warwick District Council)*
The Planning Application Process
Useful Contacts
| Warwick District Council Switchboard | 01926 450000 | |
| Warwickshire County Council Switchboard | 01926 410410 | |
| Environment Agency | 01684 864381 |
|
| County Ecology | 01926 418060 | |
| County Museum (Archaeology) | 01926 412276 | |
| English Heritage | 0121 6256844 | |
| 01295 257601 | ||
| Police Architectural Liaison | 01926 415000 | |
| Tree Preservation Orders | 01926 456525 | |
| Sport England | 02072 731500 | |
| The Ramblers Association | 01926 402166 | |
| Landscaping/Trees | 01926 456219 | |
| Warwickshire Wildlife Trust | 024 76302912 | |
Contacts for Developer Obligations Section (Sustainable Community Policies)
| Affordable Housing | 01926 456422 | |
| Public Art | 01926 456068 | |
| Access Officers | 01926 456511/456535 | |
| WCC Transport | 01926 412170 | |
| Open Space and Recreation | 01926 456211 | |
| WCC Community Facilities | 01926 412170 | |
| WCC Education | 01926 412934 | |
| WCC Green Transport Plans | 01926 412592 |
Contact Planning Officers
A full list of Planning Officer contacts is available on the Council's website.
Head of Planning and Engineering |
01926 456500 |
Development Control |
01926 456541 |
Eastern Areas |
|
Fiona Blundell (Enquiries) |
01926 456545 |
Western Areas |
|
Penny Butler (Enquiries) |
01926 456544 |
Sarah Laythorpe (East / West) |
01926 456554 |
|
|
Policy and Projects |
|
| Philip Clarke | 01926 456502 |
| Tony Ward | 01926 456503 |
| Gary Stephens | 01926 456505 |
| Claire Parlett | 01926 456331 |
| Sally Jones | 01926 456330 |
Conservation (enquiries) |
|
| Natasha Millward | 01926 456509 |
Appeals and Enforcement |
|
Mike Duffett (Principal Planning Officer) |
01926 456520 |
(Enquiries) |
01926 456525 |
Warwick District Council
P.O Box 2178
Riverside House
Milverton Hill
Royal Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV32 5QH
E-Mail Addresses
planning_west@warwickdc.gov.uk
planning_east@warwickdc.gov.uk
localplan@warwickdc.gov.uk
conservation@warwickdc.gov.uk
Useful Website Addresses
| www.warwickdc.gov.uk | (Warwick District Council) |
| www.planningportal.gov.uk | (Planning Advice & Information) |
| www.warwickshire.gov.uk | (Warwickshire County Council) |
| www.odpm.gov.uk | (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) |
| www.go-wm.gov.uk | (Government Office for the West Midlands) |
| www.wmra.gov.uk | (West Midlands Regional Assembly) |