Planning Application Procedures

Planning permission is required for most new developments including the erection of new buildings, barns or structures, extending or changing the appearance of buildings, changing the use of a building or a piece of land. As Wincle is within Peak District National Park the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) is the overriding authority which deals with all aspects of planning. Full details of the PDNPA procedures can be found in their Planning Handbook, the latest version is available free of charge from Aldern House 01629 816200.

A PDNPA Planning Officer is allocated to each new application. One of their responsibilities is to ensure all relevant parties are aware of the application and consulted. For applications in Wincle this includes Cheshire County Council, Macclesfield Borough Council and the Wincle Parish Meeting. The Parish Clerk therefore receives copies of all applications from this Parish. The Parish then has 28 days from the date when the notification has been sent to respond back to the PDNPA Planning Officer.

The public are informed of new applications via a range of sources: Peak District National Park Authority, Macclesfield Borough and Wincle Parish websites, local weekly newspapers, parish notice boards, locally posted yellow notices. Where possible personal communication from the PDNPA Planning Officer or Parish Officer will be made to those perceived to be directly affected. Details are not routinely published in Parish News or The Link as publication timings and feedback requirement mean that in some cases the opportunity to comment would have passed before publication.

Copies of applications can be inspected by appointment at
* PDNPA Offices at Aldern House in Bakewell,
* Macclesfield Town Hall
* Parish Clerk in Wincle.

Individuals, who wish to comment on an application, either in support or to object, can do so via one of two routes - directly to the Planning Officer at the PDNPA or to the Wincle Parish Clerk (Wincle residents only).

In the latter case the individual can request that the Parish Clerk pass on their comments. Any comments on an application are a matter of public record and may be inspected or copied by the applicant or his agent or any other member of the public.

The PDNPA Planning Officer does not automatically inform the Parish of comments they have received directly. It may therefore be useful to copy the Parish Clerk on any communications made directly to the PDNPA Planning Officer.

Most applications are non-controversial and receive few if any comments either positive or negative. In such cases the Parish Clerk responds, at around day 26 confirming that the Parish has received no comments or listing any comments which may have been received.

If in the view of the Parish Clerk and Chairman a particular application may not be in the interest of the Parish or will particularly benefit the Parish, a full Parish Meeting will be called with at least 7 days notice to all parishioners, including the planning applicant(s). Following discussion of the application a vote will be taken of those present at the meeting. Residents of the Parish over 18 years of age will be eligible to vote. Based upon the outcome of this vote the Clerk will inform the PDNPA Planning Officer that the Parish either rejects or supports the application and on what basis. A parishioner or group of parishioners can request that a particular application merits a Parish Meeting. The final decision remains with the Clerk and Chairman. The minutes and a list of those attending the meeting will be a matter of public record and may be inspected or copied by the applicant or his agent or any other member of the public.

There may be circumstances where a Parish Meeting is called to discuss an application arising outside the Parish. In particular if the Parish officers consider it not in the interest of the Parish or will particularly benefit the Parish and take the view that representation should be made to the PDNPA Planning Officer on behalf of the Parish.

At the end of the 28 day consultation period applications are reviewed. Nearly 90% of applications are now determined under delegated powers by authorised officers. More complex or controversial proposals are generally referred to the next monthly meeting of the PDNPA Planning Committee, membership of which is published. Applicants, agents, objectors and supporters may attend these meetings to listen to the discussion and if required may address the meeting under its rules of procedure. Those who intend to speak need to be registered at least 2 working days in advance and the speaker has 3 minutes. If it is in the interest of the parish one of the Parish Officers may attend to speak on parishioners behalf or give a parish view following a Parish Meeting. Should the Parish submit any objections it is usual that the application will go to the PDNPA Planning Committee.

The decision of the PDNPA Planning Officer or Planning Committee is communicated to the Parish Clerk and those who have commented directly to the PDNPA Planning Officer, usually within 3 working days of the decision notice being issued.

Finally a couple of points worth considering.

If you are making a comment on an application it is important to remember that only comments relevant to the planning merits of the proposals can be considered. Personal circumstances, financial impacts or disputes over other matters are unlikely to be relevant to the consideration of the planning application.

If you are submitting an application it is often a sensible practice to discuss your proposals with neighbours before the application is submitted. A minor change or clarification at an earlier stage might overcome the neighbours' concerns. Try to see the effects of the proposals from your neighbour's point of view. Try to make sure that what you want to do is attractive, functional and yet does not adversely affect neighbouring properties through loss of light, privacy or other disturbance. The Parish Officer are available to discuss proposals in advance of submission and may then be better placed to defuse any objections or advise or arbitrate on potential issues prior to the submission.

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The following files are in pdf format and will open using Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a copy of Acrobat Reader installed on your computer you can download one for free by visiting www.adobe.com. Planning applied for in the last month will also be published on the noticeboard in the main website.

Planning Applications 2008

Planning Applications 2007

Planning Applications 2006

Planning Applications 2005

Planning Applications 2004

Planning Applications 2003