Planning Portal Wakefield: Applying for Planning Permission
The Wakefield Planning Portal is an online tool that provides accessibility to planning services and information for residents and developers in the Wakefield district. The portal supports the management of planning applications, from submission and checking their progress to accessing information about local planning policies.
The Wakefield Planning Portal also plays a vital role in ensuring ecological sustainability by integrating environmental considerations into the process of planning. It makes sure that ecological priorities remain integrated in the process of any new developments within Wakefield, including the conservation of biodiversity and natural habitats, minimising any impact to the environment.
A clear understanding of potential challenges that may appear within the planning process is crucial for a successful, complete project. At Collington Winter Environmental, our consultants can assist you in meeting planning permission requirements with regard to ecological requirements, such as undertaking surveys to identify and mitigate for the presence of protected species and also ensuring that Biodiversity Net Gain principles, which are now mandatory, are achieved and to ensure that your project is approved.
You can find the Wakefield Planning Portal here.
The Process of Acquiring Planning Permission
There are several steps when applying for planning permission through the Wakefield Planning Portal to ensure a straightforward and efficient process.
Preparing your application
- Prepare all necessary documents, including:
- Application forms (available on the portal).
- Detailed site plans and drawings (e.g., elevations, floorplans).
- Supporting Statements, for example a Design and Access Statement, ecological reports, or heritage assessments (if applicable).
- Biodiversity Net Gain proposal (this must provide a minimum improvement to the local area of 10%, now mandatory for obtaining planning permission).
Submitting your application
- Ensure the planning application form is complete with details of the project.
- Ensure all required plans and supporting information is attached.
Consultation
- Once validated, the council will notify nearby properties and publicise the application through notices or local media.
- Any relevant stakeholders, including neighbours and statutory bodies, will be invited to provide feedback.
Assessment
- Considering factors such as local planning policies, environmental impact, and public feedback, planning officers will review your application.
- If necessary, the proposal may need to be modified to address specific concerns.
- Ecological issues will now be considered. Unless accepted as proposed, you may be asked to modify/update your BNG proposal. Here you may be questioned on the strategies in place in respect of protected species located on the proposed development. Collington Winter Environmental specialises in Ecological conservation and, therefore, will assist in ensuring this is responded to efficiently and does not delay an application.
Decision Making
- With a straightforward application, for example, small development projects such as a rear extension, loft conversion, single storey extension or side extension, a decision is made by planning officers.
- For more complicated projects, the application may go to the planning committee for a decision.
- You will receive notification of the decision in writing, and it will also be published on the portal.
What Ecological Requirements are Considered within the Planning Permission Process?
When using the Wakefield Planning Portal to apply for planning permission, other ecological restrictions may need to be considered. The most common Ecological requirements include:
Ecological Surveys: Comprehensive ecological surveys to assess and identify existing flora, fauna, and habitats on the project site may be required, often involving the study of the site’s ecosystems.
Protected Species Assessment: Establish whether any legally protected species, endangered animals or rare plants are present on or near the proposed site. Consideration of species such as bats, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, which may be present on the project site. These species are likely to be present with more specific projects (loft conversion)
Tree Surveys: Determine how the proposed development may affect the health, structure, and stability of existing trees.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): With the use of modern biodiversity metric tools, from February 2024 it is now mandatory to ensure any new project improves the local ecological habitat by at least 10%. This ensures developments positively impacts the local levels of biodiversity, taking the form of either creation of new habitats within the red line boundary of development or off-site units purchased to ensure the creation of habitat elsewhere.
Landscape Surveys: For developments of a larger scale, the potential impact on local landscape must be considered. Our in-house landscape architectural team regularly complete local site inspections and assessments of a proposed development. This ensures projects are designed to complement the local area.
Ecological Clerk of Works: To Assist in the delicate assessments required in respect of Protected Species or BNG and overseeing of habitat mitigation or creation within a development project, we can provide an Ecological Clerk of Works to ensure these assessments are completed accurately with minimal harm caused to local protected species or habitats.
How can Collington Winter Environmental Assist Your Application on the Wakefield Planning Portal?
Here at Collington Winter Environmental we pride ourselves on a logical and informed approach to development management. We strive to meet the needs of developers whilst ensuring a beneficial outcome for stakeholders such as your local council, and any surrounding wildlife to your development. When using the Wakefield Planning Portal, we can assist with providing all necessary ecological assessment and recommendations to support your planning application alongside ensuring all ecological requirements are prioritised to comply with Wakefield City Council requirements for a positive result.
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
