RESIDENTS and businesses applying for planning permission are being encouraged to use the council’s pre-application advice service.

The service aims to speed up applications and help applicants find out what they need for a successful planning application.

Improvements are being made to the service that will provide people with a clear and concise route to applying for planning consent.

Councillor David Kinniburgh, Policy Lead for Planning and Regulatory Services, said: “We welcome and support development right across Argyll and Bute.

“Our planning service is an enabler to development, not an obstacle. It is a cornerstone of our commitment to encouraging people to live, work and do business here.

“We want to work with developers large and small to ensure their planning applications are given the best chance of being approved once a request for consent is made.

“Using our pre-application advice system for all potential developments means people will be accessing a streamlined, clear, efficient and consistent process.”

From July, to support this service and to reflect the time and resources involved in reviewing proposals and production of guidance, the council will be introducing charging for those proposals defined as ‘locally significant’ – medium and large-scale projects and major development based on the nature and scale of development.

Proposals for householder and small-scale development will not incur a fee.

The council website will continue to provide a wealth of information and guidance to allow individuals to self-serve minor queries and by completing the online request form applicants will be informed of any applicable charge before submitting a request for advice.   

Full details will be on the council website in the coming weeks.

Councillor Kinniburgh added: “There are many benefits to using the pre-application service. It will make the planning application process faster, clearer and more straightforward with the right advice and guidance provided upfront.”

Benefits include:

• The ability to find out if proposed work is likely to be acceptable
• Getting expert advice can add value and improve applications
• People can agree information requirements for submissions
• Guidance can be given before developers commit to architect or agent commissions
• In some cases a timetable can be agreed for a decision on consent.

More information plus the relevant forms will be available nearer to the introduction of the new service.