Development control

If you want to build something new, or alter what you have or the way it is used, this may be 'development'.

Development Control deals with the processing of planning applications, taking account of Development Plan policies and briefs, expert advice, government guidance and the individual merits of each scheme, in order to control the development and use of land in the Borough in the public interest.

Group Structure (Who’s who in Development Control)
Development Control is headed by the Development Control Manager. The Section is sub-divided into the following teams:-

Major Applications – dealing with the more major developments within the Borough
Minor Applications – dealing with householder and smaller uncontentious applications
Appeals, Enforcement & Trees – working closely with the planning teams and building control and dealing with issues relating to breaches of planning control, planning appeals and trees. For enquiries relating to these issues contact us or telephone 01582 54 62 84 or 54 63 06.
Technical Support – providing administrative and clerical support to the Development Control Group. For procedural and administrative enquiries contact us or telephone 01582 54 66 05.

Both applications teams comprise a senior officer, 2 planners and a trainee planner, and the Enforcement team has a Senior Planner, 2 Enforcement Officers and a trainee planner. The Technical Support Group is headed by the Technical Support Manager. They provide support to the Applications Teams and the Enforcement Team.

Why Planning permission is required
If you want to build something new, or alter buildings or land or the way they are used, this may be ‘development’.

The purpose of the planning system is to regulate the development and use of land in the public interest. This is achieved by requiring that all proposed development (with a few exceptions) must have planning permission before any work commences. Planning permission is required for most new developments including the erection of new buildings or structures and extending or changing the use of a building or piece of land.

Do I need Planning Permission?
Some minor physical alterations such as new windows, small extensions and outbuildings can be made without planning permission. This is because some development is “permitted development” and your ability to undertake such “permitted development” is known as your ‘Permitted Development Rights’. Further information on these rights can be obtained from these guides:
Planning portal
Luton Borough Council summary of householder permitted developmentrights October 2008
Guide for Business

Full Permitted Development Rights do not apply to Listed Buildings, properties in Conservation Areas and certain areas or individual properties within the Borough where the Council has withdrawn them. Therefore it is advisable to check with the Development Control Group before starting any work. Contact Us.

In addition to Planning Permission, you may also need Building Regulations Consent for the proposed works. The Building Regulations deal with minimum standards for all aspects of construction including build quality, technical specifications, health and safety, etc.. To visit the Building Control Home page

The Planning Portal
(a national scheme for providing planning advice and making planning applications).

For further planning advice and information, you can visit The Planning Portal at which provides information on how the planning system works, a rough guide to whether you need planning permission, making an online application, finding out more about planning appeals and access to guidance notes.

Planning Application forms
There are a number of different application forms for various types of development proposed. Please contact us on 01582 546605 or email DevelopmentControl@luton.gov.uk to request the relevant forms stating the type of development involved. You can also complete Application forms on the Planning Portal.

View the weekly list of planning applications submitted to the Council.
The Planning Application Process.

The Committee Cycle and the Right to Speak at Committee

Enforcement
Enforcement action undertaken by the Council ensures that planning controls are maintained and therefore plays an important role in protecting the local environment. The Service usually tries to resolve problems through informal action and negotiation. However, where this fails, it can start legal action to remedy breaches of planning control. For further information regarding a particular case or to report unauthorised development Contact Us or telephone 01582 546284 or 546306.

High Hedges – Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
If you are being affected by someone else’s hedge, the best way to deal with the issue is to talk to them about it. It is in both your interests to try and sort things out. After all, you have to continue to live near each other and so it is better if you are on good terms. Calling in the Council or going to court might make matters worse.

To help you deal with the situation, the Department of Communities and Local Govenment has produced leaflets to act as a guide to help you agree what is right for you and your neighbours and on how to complain to the Council, called ‘Over the garden hedge’ and ‘High hedges: complaining to the Council’. The documents can be accessed at DCLG trees and hedges together with a number of other helpful documents relating to this matter.

In the event that you fail to resolve the matter having carried out all the required steps set out in the booklet ‘Over the garden hedge’, you may then wish to make a formal complaint. The relevant form is available at High Hedges: Complaint Form or by contacting us at DevelopmentControl@luton.gov.uk (telephone 01582 546605).

Telecommunications
Telecom development is subject to development control but much minor development, such as the installation of some residential satellite dishes, is "permitted development" under the General Permitted Development Order 1995 and hence does not require planning permission. Telecom code systems operators also enjoy a general planning permission subject to certain exclusions. In these cases, the operator has to make a 'prior approval' application which allows the authority 56 days to consider the siting and appearance of the proposed development.

The Local Planning Authority have for some time expressed concern to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister regarding the prior approvals procedure and the inability to consider the health implications of such proposals when determining these applications. Attached below are the councils formal letter to the ODPM together with their response in relation to this.

Complaints or comments regarding the Service
If you have any complaints or comments regarding the Development Control Service please feel free to Contact Us.