General Planning Questions

Question 1

What two pieces of legislation govern the planning system?

Answer 1

The NPPF & the Localism Act 2011

Question 2

Name a few of the initiatives within the Localism Act, 2011?

Answer 2

• Encourage housing development
• Communities to have the right to permit development without planning permission with the focus on neighbourhood planning
• Neighbourhoods to benefit from CILs
• A statutory duty for local authorities to co-operate on planning matters

Question 3

What is the main purpose of the Localism Act 2011?

Answer 3

Give more autonomy at a local level by transferring the powers from central to local councils?

Question 4

When was the NPPF first published?

Answer 4

March 2012

Question 5

Name some of the key policies within the NPPF?

Answer 5

• Balance economic growth with environmental protection
• Streamline the planning process
• Ensure planning decisions are made at a local level
• Main principle is a presumption in favour of sustainable development
• Return to a local plan system
• Regional housing targets should be abolished and set locally

Question 6

Name the main changes that were made in the NPPF Sep 2023 version?

Answer 6

• Meeting the challenges of climate change and coastal erosion
• Wind farm planning policy

Question 7

What act is the definition of development from?

Answer 7

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Question 8

Define development as per the town and country planning act?

Answer 8

The carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or making of any material changes in the use of any buildings or land.

Question 9

Name the two types of planning application?

Answer 9

Outline - to establish the principle of development
Full application - for full consent

Question 10

Once a RM application has been submitted when must the developer commence works?

Answer 10

Within 2 years

Question 11

If a site has an outline planning consent, when must a RM application be submitted?

Answer 11

Within 3 years

Question 12

How long does a full planning consent last for before the developer must make a start?

Answer 12

3 years from the date of consent

Question 13

Name some types of information that will be included within a planning application?

Answer 13

Application form
Location Plan
Site layout
Relevant drawings - house types & elevations
Design & Access Statement

Question 14

Name the two ways that planning applications can be submitted?

Answer 14

Via the planning portal or by paper (3 copies)

Question 15

How long is the determination period of a planning application?

Answer 15

8 weeks from the date of validation.

This is extended to 13 weeks for major applications and 16 weeks if the application includes an EIA.

Question 16

When were section 106 agreements introduced?

Answer 16

Under the town and country planning act 1990

Question 17

Describe what a section 106 agreement is?

Answer 17

These are planning obligations which are set out in a legally binding agreement enforceable by the LPA and are site specific impact related only

Question 18

Describe what CIL is?

Answer 18

CIL is being used by LPA’s for off-site payments from developers to raise funds for infrastructure necessary to support development in the area

Question 19

Explain an aim of CIL?

Answer 19

An aim of CIL was to reduce the significant 106 negotiations and speed up the planning system

Question 20

How is CIL charged?

Answer 20

CIL is charged on a tariff that relate to the size or the change to the size of a development based on the net floor space

Question 21

Name some of the differences between CIL & S.106?

Answer 21

106’s are negotiated whereas CIL is based of a tariff
CIL cannot be used to secure affordable housing
CIL charging schedule’s cover whole areas whereas 106’s are site specific

Question 22

What right in Feb 2024 did the town and country planning act introduce for householder applications relating to permitted development?

Answer 22

They permitted rights to extend, develop upward, demolish and rebuild residential property and install vehicle charging points and ASHPS’s

Question 23

What act are listed buildings protected by?

Answer 23

Planning (Listed buildings and conservation area) Act 1990

Question 24

Name the three grades of listed buildings?

Answer 24

Grade 1 (exceptional interest)
Grade 2* (particular importance)
Grade 2 (buildings of special interest)

Question 25

What are the 6 general principles of listed buildings?

Answer 25

1. Age
2. Rarity
3. Selectivity
4. National Interest
5. State of Repair
6. Aesthetic Merit

Question 26

What is a conservation area?

Answer 26

These are areas of special architectural or historic interest and are desirable to be preserved

Question 27

What is a TPO?

Answer 27

A TPO is made by a local planning authority to protect specific trees or a particular area, group or woodland from deliberate damage and destruction

Question 28

What is an EIA?

Answer 28

This is a systematic process used to identify, predict and evaluate the environmental effects of proposed development prior to permission being granted.

Question 29

What is a section 73?

Answer 29

This is a process which allows for the LPA to agree to a request to remove, vary or discharge a planning condition following the grant of consent

Question 30

Name a few of the key points in the housing and planning act, 2016?

Answer 30

Increase in the construction of starter homes
Provides the secretary of state with more powers to intervene in neighbourhood planning functions of LPAs
Removal of the national infrastructure commission

Question 31

Name some of the key points within the neighbourhood planning act, 2017?

Answer 31

Changes to strengthen neighbourhood planning, aiming to free up more land to build houses and speed up the planning process
Streamlining CPO procedures
New rules pre-commencement planning conditions