Planning Portal: Applying for Planning Permission
The Planning Portal is a planning system designed to provide streamlined access to planning information and services for both residents and developers. It acts as a central hub for submitting and viewing planning applications, tracking their progress, and obtaining details on local planning policies. Each Council will have their own Planning Portal customised to the requirements/processes of the local area, and it is therefore important that you submit to the correct Portal, as can be searched for here.
All planning permission now supports, and requires ecological sustainability and improvement by integrating environmental factors into the planning process. It ensures that new developments align with ecological priorities. This often includes protecting biodiversity, preserving natural habitats, and minimising environmental impacts.
Navigating the planning process and addressing potential challenges is key to ensuring the success of your project. At Collington Winter, our consultants are ready to help you meet planning permission requirements and guide your project to a positive outcome.
What Types of Developments Require Planning Permission?
The Planning Portal is essential for managing applications for a variety of developments, ranging from small residential projects to large commercial and industrial developments. Some developments that typically require planning permission include:
- Residential projects
- Commercial developments
- Industrial and infrastructure projects
- Renewable energy projects
- Heritage and conservation areas
- Agricultural developments
- Environmental projects
You will likely need to use the Planning Portal for any project that falls outside “permitted development rights.” Permitted development refers to minor works that don’t require formal approval, such as small-scale home improvements.
For any project that involves substantial changes, impacts on the environment or community, or changes to property use, the Planning Portal serves as the platform to apply for planning permission. It simplifies the process of submitting applications and ensuring compliance with local and national regulations.
The Planning Permission Process
Applying for planning permission through the Planning Portal involves several steps to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
Preparing the application
- Prepare necessary documents, including:
- Application forms (available on the portal).
- Detailed site plans and drawings (e.g., elevations, floor plans).
- Supporting statements, such as a Design and Access Statement, ecological reports, or heritage assessments (if applicable).
- Biodiversity net gain proposal (which must provide a minimum of 10% improvement to the local area), which has been mandatory since 12 February 2024.
Submitting the application
- Complete the online planning application form with details about the project.
- Attach all required plans and supporting information.
Consultation
- After validation, the council will publicise the application through notices, local media, or letters to nearby properties.
- Relevant stakeholders, including neighbours and statutory bodies, will be invited to provide feedback.
Assessment
- Planning officers will review your application, considering factors like local planning policies, environmental impacts, and public feedback.
- If needed, you may be asked to modify the proposal to address specific concerns.
- Ecological issues will be considered, and you may be asked to modify/update your BNG proposal unless it is accepted as proposed. Questions may be raised as to the proposed mitigations in respect of protected species located on the proposed development, which we can assist with responding to and progressing your application.
Decision making
- For straightforward applications, a decision is made by planning officers.
- For larger or contentious projects, the application may go to the planning committee for a decision.
- You will be notified of the decision in writing, and it will also be published on the portal.
Environmental Considerations when Applying for Planning Permission
In addition to its primary use of managing planning applications, the planning portal also plays a role in supporting environmental sustainability. Many local authorities use the Planning Portal to ensure that new developments comply with ecological priorities.
Ecological Surveys: Submission of comprehensive ecological surveys and assessments to identify existing flora, fauna, and habitats on the project site. These surveys often involve studying the site’s ecosystems.
Protected Species Assessment: Determination of whether any legally protected species, such as endangered animals or rare plants, are present on or near the development site. This may require surveys for species like bats, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
Tree Surveys: A thorough assessment is made of how the proposed development may affect the health, structure, and stability of existing trees.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): Utilising the most up to date biodiversity metric tools, it is now mandatory from February 2024 to ensure any development is improving the local ecological habitat by at least 10%. This is to ensure that developments have a positive impact on biodiversity in the local area and can take the form of either creation of new habitat within the red line boundary of the development, or if a 10% increase is not feasible, off-site units can be purchased to offset the creation of habitat elsewhere.
Landscape Surveys: For large scale developments, considerations have to be given as to the impact on the local landscape. Our in-house landscape architectural team regularly complete local site inspections and assessments of a proposed development, to ensure it is designed in a manner to fit in with the local area.
Ecological Clerk of Works: As part of any assessments completed in respect of Protected Species or BNG, we can provide an ecological clerk of works to oversee habitat mitigation or creation during tricky aspects of any development project, to ensure minimal harm is caused to local protected species and that habitats are created to the correct specification.
Overall, the Planning Portal helps ensure that environmental factors are included into the planning and approval process. This encourages responsible development that aligns with sustainability goals and mitigates negative ecological impacts.
How can Collington Winter Environmental Assist Your Application on the Planning Portal?
Collington Winter Environmental believe in a pragmatic approach to development management. We meet the needs of developers whilst ensuring positive outcomes for wildlife and other stakeholders in your development, such as your Local Council. In respect of any application you intend to make to the Planning Portal, we can assist with providing all necessary ecological assessments and recommendations to support your planning application for your development, to ensure ecological aspects of your application comply with Local Council requirements.
If you are interested in our services, contact us using the form below. You can also contact us via email at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk or call one of our team on 01204 939608.
We can assist in a range of locations across the UK, including:
Northern England – Bolton, Liverpool, Newcastle upon Tyne, Preston, Trafford, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Chester, Cumbria
Midlands – Leicester, Lincolnshire
Southern England – Bristol
Contact Us
Registered Address
23 Bark Street East, 1st Floor, Bolton, BL1 2BQ
Cambridge Office
Future Business Centre, Cambridge Campus, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge, CB4 2HY
Telephone
Head Office: 01204 939 608
Dumfries Office: 01387 378208