Important changes to the development control system
Latest planning news
Householder appeals: A new 'fast track'appeals procedure for householder applications came into force on 6 April 2009. All information regarding the changes can be seen on the appeal pages.
Strategic flood risk assessments: To avoid confusion it should be noted that for the purposes of determining planning applications in North Lincolnshire, the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) will take precedence over the Environment Agency's flood risk maps.
Changes to permitted development: From 1 October 2008, major changes have been introduced which affect applications for development within the curtilage of a dwelling/house. One of the changes concerns paving over of your front garden. If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres, planning permission will be needed for laying traditional impervious driveways that do not control rainwater run-off.
You can find more information about paving over front gardens in the Communities and Local Government's Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens [PDF] (601K).
If you want confirmation in writing about whether or not the works you would like to carry out are permitted development, you can download our Permitted Development Enquiry Form [PDF] (28K).
Development control
The council's development control team deals with the determining and monitoring of planning applications. This includes other associated applications submitted to the council under the planning acts. For example:
- Listed building consent
- Conservation area consent
- Advertisement display consent.
Most building work, engineering work and use of land needs planning permission. The team's role is to ensure that development is carried out in accordance with local and national planning guidance.
For help and advice you can contact your Development Control Officers [PDF] (11K) .
We now operate a duty officer service. A dedicated planning officer will be available daily to answer planning enquiries either by telephone or if you call at our offices (although prior appointments are preferred). They will provide you with pre-application advice and help you with any general planning queries. If you wish to speak to the duty officer telephone 01724 297420.
Please note building regulations are also required for most building works.
Complaint about the building development control service?
If you want to complain about the development control service, first contact the service directly (planning@northlincs.gov.uk). It will try to put things right informally. If you are still not happy with our response write to the highways and planning complaints coordinator below or alternatively on line via our complaints page.
Emily Ashton
H & P Complaints Coordinator
North Lincolnshire Council
Church Square House
PO Box 42
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN15 6XQ
Email: emily.ashton@northlincs.gov.uk
Enforcement
The enforcement team deals with breaches of planning control. It also investigates complaints about unauthorised development.
You can now report an alleged breach of planning online. The form and guidance can be found on our reporting an alleged breach of planning page.
You can use our online enforcement register to check if there are any enforcement notices related to a property.
For help and advice you can contact a planning enforcement officer or visit our enforcement pages.
More information