Council objectives for charging for amendments in-application
To manage the time and resources provided by the Council when applications are amended during consideration of a planning application ensuring that costs incurred, additional to that intended to be covered by the planning application fee, are borne by the applicant and not Dartford Council taxpayers.
(This is particularly likely to be the case where such amendments are: a significant change to the proposal as submitted; several incremental changes are made; or require additional information/accurate details which should have been foreseen at submission stage.)
To work proactively with applicants on proposals that are likely to be acceptable once additional information/amendments are submitted; whilst avoiding additional cost to the tax payer by allowing applicants to amend an application where they cover the additional costs arising from further consideration/consultation/reporting.
To improve the quality of development in the Borough but not at the cost of the Dartford taxpayer due to protracted negotiations, significant amendments and incremental changes requiring additional officer and Member time.
To ensure that applications are determined, where possible, within the statutory time periods.
To reduce the numbers of “Extension of Time” agreements by setting clear rules regarding the number of amendments allowed or the circumstances where amendments will not be accepted and therefore increase the speed of decision-making by the Council.
Outcomes expected:
Less reliance by applicants on the ability to amend poor quality/ill-considered applications during consideration.
A higher standard of submitted planning applications.
Better use of the Council’s pre-application service rather than relying on amendments during the application consideration.
Fewer conditions imposed on permissions used to enable poor quality submissions to be approved.
Greater focus by planning case officers on determining applications within statutory time limits.
Improved percentages of applications considered within the statutory time period
Less cost to the Council and taxpayer of subsidising the Development Management process.
