Planning Portal Cumbria: Applying for Planning Permission
The Cumbria Planning Portal is an online central hub purposefully designed to ensure efficient access to planning services and information for residents and project developers in Cumbria. Developers can use it to submit and manage planning applications, source an application reference number, check current status and access local planning resources.
The Cumbria Planning Portal is complimentary to many environmental sustainability concerns raised in the lake district as it ensures that developers can make the surrounding environment a key focus of their project.
At Collington Winter Environmental, we assist in meeting planning permission requirements with regard to ecological requirements, offering an extensive range of assistance to ensure environmental principles are met and your project lands with its intended effect.
The Cumbria planning portal is typically listed under the Lake District National Park Authority. However, if your project site falls outside the National Park District, you may need to apply to the Cumberland council (formerly Cumbria county council).
The Planning Application Process
Applying for planning permission through the Cumbria Planning Portal involves several steps including:
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 BNG (which must provide a minimum of 10% improvement to the local area), mandatory since 12 February 2024.
Submitting the application
- Complete the online planning application, including project details.
- Attach all required plans, including any supporting information.
Consultation
- Once validated, the application will be publicised.
- Relevant parties will be invited to provide feedback.
Assessment
- A review of your application will begin, factoring in potential drawbacks such as local planning policies, environmental impacts, relevant stakeholders, and public feedback.
- If necessary, the proposal may need modification to address specific concerns.
- Ecological provisions will be considered, and you may need to modify your BNG proposal.
Decision making
- For straightforward applications, planning officers will make the decision.
- For larger or contentious projects, the application may be assessed by the planning committee for a decision.
- You will be notified of the decision in writing, and published on the portal.
What Ecological Requirements are Considered for the Planning Permission Process?
When applying for planning permission on the Cumbria Planning Portal, ecological limitations may need to be considered. The most common ecological requirements include:
- Ecological Surveys – To identify any ecosystem or plants which may require extra attention whilst planning your project.
- Protected Species Assessment – To assess any protected species which may need specific mitigation plans on your site.
- Tree surveys – To determine the potential impact on the health and stability of existing trees on and around the development location.
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – It is now mandatory from February 2024 to ensure any developments are improving the local ecological habitat by at least 10%.
- Landscape Surveys – As Cumbria boasts such extensive countryside and mountains, consideration must be given to the potential impact on the landscape.
- Ecological Clerk of Works – Collington Winter can provide an ecological clerk of works to oversee any assessments with respect to protected species and BNG.
How can Collington Winter Environmental Assist Your Application on the Cumbria Planning Portal?
With any intended applications for development using the Cumbria Planning Portal, Collington Winter Environmental can assist with providing all necessary ecological assessments and recommendations to support your planning application and project management, alongside ensuring all ecological requirements are prioritised to comply with Cumberland 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.
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
