Planning

As a consequence of the current Coronavirus pandemic, including lockdown measures and Covid secure ways of working, the Council’s Development Control and Planning Enforcement Service will be deploying home working and may be working short staffed. Whilst every effort will be made to maintain as normal a service as possible, there will likely be some delays in the processing of planning applications, including getting applications validated when they are first submitted. Our ability to carry out effective public consultation and consultation with statutory consultees may be compromised and this may stall the determination of applications presented to the Council.

To reduce non-essential contact the service will not be able to meet customers in person. The preferred method of contact is by email to planningcontrol@northwarks.gov.uk

Please note that for the duration of Coronavirus restrictions  planning and enforcement officers will halt non-essential site visits.  If an Officer deems it necessary to undertake an essential site visit it will only take place where COVID-19 safeguards can be achieved.   Greater limitations on travel will apply during periods of lockdown.

The Planning Duty Officer System, which is normally available on weekday mornings, will continue to operate as long as resources allow but will only respond to email and telephone enquiries. 

Meetings of the Planning and Development Board were postponed during the first lockdown but have now resumed on the basis of Virtual Meetings which are broadcast via the Council’s YouTube Channel. 

We will act on advice from the Government and adjust service accordingly.  Please be assured that we will work hard to continue to run as smoothly as possible, however, please also appreciate that our services will be impacted whilst the pandemic continues to affect normal activities.  We will post updates in the event of any changes to these operating practices.