Monday 08 September 2014
BBC Radio Guernsey enquiry:
We are seeking the department's views on subsequent planning applications, when an original planning application has been approved by the department.
Does the department feel this increasing development against the spirit of the original planning application? - The latest example is the GT cars site where the developers want to increase the size of the petrol garage and has featured in the latest press list.
What is the department's view on subsequent planning application such as the GT CARS site?
Does the department feel it's against the spirit of planning applications?
How can interested parties object to these types of applications?
Environment Department response:
Although the Environment Department cannot comment on 'live' planning applications, such as that for the 'GT Cars' site, your query raises general issues on which the Department would like to respond.
It is appreciated by the Department that circumstances can change subsequent to planning permission being granted for a development, particularly in the present economic climate when development finance availability and viability of development are of increased importance to the physical delivery of approved schemes 'on the ground'. Schemes may also have to be adapted to meet future tenant's requirements, for example, and it is a legitimate function of the planning process to deal with such changes as and when they may arise.
Applications for significant variations to approved schemes are publicised in the normal way and representations can be made by interested parties which would be taken into account by the Department during consideration of the application.
The Department also has a published procedure by which minor amendments to approved schemes can be agreed without undue bureaucracy, to minimise 'red tape' and ensure that agreed development can proceed quickly and easily.
However, in a few cases subsequent applications can appear designed to dilute an approved design or revert back to a previous unsatisfactory approach contrary to previous planning negotiations. In such cases, the Department may refuse further planning permission where this is justified having regard to the Planning Law and adopted planning policies of the States.
Furthermore, the Department has limited resources to deal with planning applications and seeks to employ these efficiently for the benefit of the majority of applicants and the general public. Serial amendments to approved schemes are time consuming to deal with, as well as potentially frustrating or confusing for neighbours, and the Department therefore encourages developers through pre-application discussions to submit applications for planning permission that are sufficiently thought-through in the first instance, rather than amending their proposals several times after an approval has been granted.
Contact Information:
Jim Rowles, Director of Planning
Environment Department
Tel: 717200
