Development Control

Welcome to the Development Control Service Home Page

Development Control deals with the processing of planning applications, taking account of borough policies, development briefs, county policy guidance, national and regional government guidance and the merits of each individual scheme, in order to manage development within the borough, for the benefit of the public and the communities of Stafford Borough.

What Would You Like to Do? (Quick links to planning enquiries) 

Click to buy a location plan for your planning and building regulation applications

Do I need Planning Permission? (external link to Planning Portal) Some works may be carried out without planning permission, where this is known as permitted development rights. The Planning Portal page deals with different types of works, from extensions to total new build, just consult the left-hand navigation on the page. Local Planning Authorities may also use other legislative powers to remove permitted development rights. These are known as Article 3 and Article 4 Directions. Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas also have their own respective consents, for more information, click here (external link to Planning Portal). For more information on permitted development rights and what it means, please click here.

How do I make a planning application?

Planning applications can be submitted online through the Planning Portal. Alternatively forms can be dowloaded (see link below), or are available in hard copies from planning 3rd floor reception. When making a submission it is recommended that applicants consult the 'Important Information for Applicants' document for their reference. For industrial and commercial submissions, please consult the Business Pack document.

Further advice is also available on:

• Information requirement for the validation of planning applications
• Plan notes
• Design and Access Statement
• Flood Risk
• Agriculture/Forestry Dwelling notes
• Building Regulation notes
• Section 106 Legal Obligations - The Section 106 agreement is a binding agreement between a council and a developer associated with a grant of planning permission and regarding matters linked to the proposed development. It is a legal document drawn up between the two parties.

How can I pay for submitting my planning application?

Online payments by Direct Debit can be made online by clicking here.

Can I view planning applications on-line?

Yes, you can view planning applications online via the Planning Public Access where you can view details of current applications and subsequent planning appeal information, submit comments on-line and view decision notices including conditions for decisions issued since September 2005. Recent applications can be viewed by also consulting the weekly list, see link below.

Can I download Planning Application forms?

Yes, you can access 1APP forms, fees and certificates and notices by clicking here. Communities and Local Government launched 1APP,on the 6^th April 2008. It is a standard planning application form to replace all existing types of planning application forms currently in use within England. It became the only legal way of submitting a planning application within England.

Who is responsible in deciding the outcome of planning applications?

Planning applications are decided either by the Development Control Committee, or by a senior officer making a delegated decision, which is processed under the Development Control delegation scheme. Currently an average of 92% of applications are determined under the delegation scheme. The development control committee is made up of elected members. Committee Agendas and Minutes can be downloaded by clicking here. Committee agendas should be available to download seven days before the meeting take place, and the minutes should then be available five working days after when the meeting has taken place. When the application is decided, a Decision Notice is then issued.

I have been consulted on a planning application and would like to submit comments/representations.

If you would like to make a representation on a planning application, you should consult the 'Important Information for Consultees on Planning Applications',  document that explains how you should make representations and what happens to them.

To make representations at Development Control Committee meetings you will have to apply in writing to Committee Services. Please read 'Protocol on Making Representations Direct to Development Control Committee' 

I am not happy with the outcome of my planning application, what can I do and where can I see the information?

The refusal of planning applications can be challenged by submitting the an appeal for the consideration of the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). To find out more planning appeals and the process/duration, please consult the Planning Inspectorate website by clicking here. However you may wish to discuss the decision with the planning officer who was the case officer for that application, to see if you can make amendments to the proposal which could result in a resubmitted application being acceptable. Planning officers operate a call-back system, and you can arrange a call-back time slot by contacting the Customer Contact Centre on 01785 619337.

Where can I view current and past planning appeals?

Current appeals can be viewed on the Appeals Weekly List to view all Planning Appeals accepted and decided by the Planning Inspectorate within any given week (Friday to Thursday). These Appeals relate to refused applications or against specific conditions attached to an application.  Decision Notices and Planning Inspectorate Decision Notices can be viewed via the Public Access Web Site www.staffordbc.gov.uk/planning. Appeals can also be searched through the Planning Portal website by clicking here.

I wish to report unauthorised works/breach of planning.

To report possible unauthorised works/breaches of planning, please fill in the online form by clicking here. The Enforcement team deal with the contravention of permitted development rights, such as works that have been carried out without planning permission and also situations where a development is being built in contravention of one or more conditions on a planning permission. Such breaches may include unauthorised building works, advertisements, demolitions within conservation areas, works to listed buildings, works to protected trees and trees within conservation areas. Enforcement matters can also be reported by sending an e:mail to planning@staffordbc.gov.uk.

Other Useful Information

Development Control Service Charter
The Development Control Service Charter sets out the standards of service we aim to achieve for customers (pdf format).

Planning Weekly List

Please click above to view all Planning Applications Registered within any given week Friday to Thursday.  Further details of these applications can be viewed via the Public Access Web Site www.staffordbc.gov.uk/planning.

To view PDF documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download your free version of Acrobat Reader from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html .

If you have any further queries, please contact us on planning@staffordbc.gov.uk or (01785) 619337.