AGENTS’ FORUM

1. AGENTS’ FORUM 28 November 2012

2. Proposed pre-app enquiry fees • What’s New article posted 19 November at What's New web link • Consultation period ends 31 December 2012 • Implementation from 7 January 2013 • Analysed time recorded costs for 47 cases completed April to October 2012

3. Findings from first 47 cases • 267 hours of service • At a cost of £13,327 (at £50 an hour) • Recovered £8,847 (a 34% shortfall) Why fees have to go up • Applicants being subsidised by Council Tax payers • Need income to retain the staff necessary to provide the service

4. Main changes proposed • Householder, Advert and Change of Use – fee to be increased from £50 to £75 • Minor development simplified into two categories with fees of £200 or £300 • (Existing fees go up in £50 stages from £150 to £300)

5. Small-scale Major developments: • Stage I ‘in principle’ enquiry from £350 to £400 • Stage 2 detailed enquiry from £850 to £1,000 • Large-scale Major developments • Stage I ‘in principle’ enquiry from £450 to £600 • Stage 2 detailed enquiry from £1,350 to £1,500.

6. Proposed changes to validation requirements (LPAR) • What’s New article posted 19 November at What's New web page • Consultation ends 31 December 2012 • Implementation from 7 January 2013 Changes: • Local validation checklists • Coal Mining Risk Assessments • C-Plan option for Sustainability Statements

7. Local validation checklists • Addresses common problems that can delay applications, 28% invalidity (Householder, Full, Outline and Listed Building) • Explains Sheffield requirements and National. • Based on CLG 2010 guidance. • The Forum discussed the information required to demonstrate proposed ground and floor levels in 2009.

8. Coal Mining Risk Assessments

10. Main risks in Sheffield • Mine entries • Shallow workings • Former surface mining sites where restoration methods may not have been to modern standards or is not fully known • Coal Authority has mapped higher risk areas Link to Coal Authority guidance and map of 'Coal Mining Development Referral Areas'

11. When is a CMRA required? • In areas of higher risk (Coal Mining Development Referral Areas) - where the proposed • ground works, • excavations, and/or • design and layout - may need to be amended prior to the application being determined

12. A CMRA is not required for: • Householder planning applications • Other minor development where: • design or layout are unlikely to be affected • the applicant may want to defer any consideration to a later stage • On the former site of Tinsley Park opencast, where coal mining risks were removed as part of the operations. 

13. C-Plan option for Sustainability Statements • An online tool all Yorkshire and Humber LPAs are considering • Helps applicants submit energy and sustainability statements • Traffic light system makes it easy for applicants and officers see if a development is complying with policy requirements • Could help some applicants, minimising the need for expert advice and long written statements • Possible alternative or supplement to Sustainability Statement (not a validation requirement)

14. C-Plan option for Sustainability Statements I need to know the local policies and targets I need to submit an energy statement for my development I need to report on the overall effectiveness of our policies 1. Developer I need to know if an application complies with our policy 2. Architect/Engineer I need to manage receipt of supporting information I need to know the details of the energy statement 5. Policy planner 4. Sustainability Advisor 3. Case Officer 3. Admin manager

15. The C-Plan Process Database benchmarks calculations engine Online form completed by developer Dashboard and decision screens Reports and archives Report on overall impacts of policies in annual monitoring reports Capture data in consistent format Cost £35 - 2 submissions Check for feasibility and policy compliance Provides accurate basis for negotiations Stage 3. Development Management Stage 4. Monitoring by Policy Team Stage1. Applicant Stage 2. C-Plan

16. Traffic light overview of compliance with policy

17. Edit inputs until secure compliance with policy requirements

18. C-Plan – initial findings • Can demonstrate compliance with 10% renewables • Perhaps develop a sustainability check list as well • Need to avoid duplication of BREEAM, Code for Sustainable Homes and SAP energy calculations • Applicants want flexibility (LF and others) Stage 1: • give details or commitments • explain where can’t comply Stage 2: • provide missing details in response to condition(s)

19. C-Plan – agents’ views • Ted Tunnicliffe (Tatlow Stancer) & Laura Fitzgerald (DLP) attended a presentation with officers - Ted can give his comments shortly • Still developing with C-Plan • Possible April full implementation • Aim to pilot with a couple of schemes • Laura Fitzgerald (DLP): “Overall I think it is a useful tool. Whether it is simple enough to use in practice and avoids the need to instruct an energy consultant will be the test as to its success.”

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21. Planning and Building Control In a sample of 100 planning applications, 50% of those applications would follow on to need Building Regulation consentWe can be there if you need usWe want to be involvedWe can add value

22. Planning and Building Control - An example Development Team Approach Extension for a New Heavy Forge Early engagement with all parties Visit to site Preliminary comments and problems resolved Client sees benefits and is leading on management of project LABC engaged

23. Any questions?Are we delivering? Contact: Andrew Taylor Building Control Manager Sheffield City Council Email: andrew.taylor@Sheffield.gov.uk

24. Enhanced application service

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