The Type of Applications the County Council Determines

The County Council has a statutory responsibility for dealing with planning applications for County Council developments such as schools, libraries, roads, social services establishments (Reg 3 applications) etc.  Planning applications are either determined by delegated powers under the Chief Executive or reported to the Development Control and Regulatory Board for determination.  Small scale applications (less than 1 hectare or 1000 square metres) to which no objections have been raised have been delegated to the Chief Executive.  The Council is committed to process these applications to the same stringent standards as those which are determined by the Board.

The County Council is responsible for dealing with all planning applications to do with mineral extraction (quarrying etc.) and waste disposal (landfill) or other waste facilities such as recycling centres, composting facilities and waste transfer stations.

Planning applications are determined by delegated powers under the Chief Executive or reported to the Development Control and Regulatory Board for determination (approval or refusal).

Planning applications are required to go through statutory consultation and publicity procedures.  Many mineral and waste applications are contentious and complex in nature, generate much public interest, and require detailed assessment taking into account the views of consultees and the public before a decision is taken.

In addition to full planning applications the County Council deals with many matters that are submitted to it for approval under existing planning permissions.  Mineral and waste planning permissions issued by the County Council are subject to conditions which control the way the development is carried out and/or require the applicant to submit further detailed information for approval.  Applicants who wish to amend the details of a planning permission may also be able to do this by making submissions under the terms of planning conditions.  These submissions are subject to approval being obtained from the County Council and in some cases will involve consultation with appropriate bodies (but this is discretionary) before they can be approved either by the Development Control and Regulatory Board or the Chief Executive depending on the wording of the relevant planning condition

Development Management is the process of dealing with planning applications and ensuring that developments comply with planning rules, whereby development proposals are either granted or refused planning permission.

The County Council is responsible for determining planning applications for the development of minerals and waste management facilities, and the County Council's own development, for example schools.  The County Council is also consulted by the district planning authorities on planning applications that the Districts are dealing with which may have strategic planning implications.  All other proposals for development are the responsibility of the seven District Councils in the County.