Spelthorne Borough Council

Providing Quality Services to the People of
Ashford, Laleham, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell & Sunbury

Frequently asked questions

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Planning applications

  1. Do I need planning permission?
  2. Do I need planning permission for a dropped kerb?
  3. What is the difference between Planning Permission and Building consent?
  4. Do you have a list of recommended architects/agents?
  5. Can I get advice about something I am planning to do?
  6. How much are the planning fees?
  7. Have you received my application?
  8. How long will it take to process my application?
  9. Can I view applications/plans?
  10. Can I have a copy of the plans?
  11. How can I object/comment on an application?
  12. Can I see any letters of objection?
  13. What does a delegated decision mean?
  14. I'm not happy with this being a delegated decision - how can I get it referred to the Planning Committee?
  15. Can I speak at the Planning Committee meeting?
  16. My planning application has been refused.  How do I appeal?
  17. Can I appeal against you giving my neighbour permission?
  18. I've got planning permission but I want to change something slightly?
  19. How long is the permission valid?
Trees

  1. How can I find out if a tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)?
  2. Can I get a TPO placed on a tree?
  3. Do I need permission to do work on a tree with a TPO?
  4. Do I need permission to do work on a tree in a Conservation Area?
  5. Who do I need to contact about a tree in the pavement outside my house?
  6. Who should I get to carry out work on my trees?
Planning Enforcement

  1. Link to Planning Enforcement FAQs
Property information

  1. How can I find out information about my property and surrounding area?
  2. Can you tell me who owns the land?
  3. Can I see the original plans for my house/estate?
Planning Policy

  1. Does the Council have a Local Development Framework?
  2. Does the Council have a Local Plan?
  3. Does the Council currently propose to review the housing figures in its Core Strategy and Policies DPD?
  4. I need some statistical information on housing/employment/population, etc?
Planning applications
1. Do I need planning permission?
Some very minor developments can be undertaken without the need for planning permission, which is often referred to as 'permitted development'.  Further information can be found on our webpage ‘Do I need planning permission?’
2. Do I need planning permission for a dropped kerb?
In certain circumstances planning permission is required for a dropped kerb/vehicular access.  Further information can be found on our webpage 'Dropped kerbs/vehicle access'.
3. What is the difference between planning permission and building regulation consent?
Planning permission is concerned with how a proposal impacts on the environment and neighbouring properties/land.

Building Regulation consent is required for most building work, including structural alterations.  It is mainly concerned with the way that something is being built and will therefore deal with such things as the depth of foundations or thickness of insulation.  Planning permission is not generally required for internal work or for many small domestic extensions (permitted development).
4. Do you have a list of recommended architects/agents?
The Council is not able to recommend any individuals/companies.
5. Can I get advice about something I am planning to do?
The Council encourages pre-application advice and there is a charge for this.
6. How much are the planning fees?
The fee for a domestic application is £150.  
Full list of application fees.
7. Have you received my application?
Once the application has been validated (which may take up to five days) you can check on the progress of your application via 'Planning Applications Online'.  See the ‘important dates’ tab once you have searched for your application by address or application number.  This information is updated regularly.
8. How long will it take to process my application?
Our target is eight weeks for domestic planning applications.
9. Can I view applications/plans?
All applications and plans can be viewed either at the Council Offices during normal office hours or on our website via 'Planning Applications Online'.  
10. Can I have a copy of the plans?
These can be printed off from the website, but please note that once printed they may not be to scale.  Alternatively the Council can provide you with a copy but there is a charge for this service.
11. How can I object/comment on an application?
You can either e-mail/write to the Planning Department at the Council Offices or submit your comments via the website.  Any comments submitted will be shown on ‘Planning Applications Online’ on our website.  However, personal details will be removed (signatures, telephone numbers and email addresses) but not names and postal addresses.
12. Can I see any letters of objection?
Any objections or comments on a planning application can either be viewed at the Council Offices during normal office hours, or on our website via ‘Planning Applications Online’.
13. What does a delegated decision mean?
Certain Senior Planning Officers have ‘delegated powers’ which enable them to determine most minor planning applications without the necessity of being referred to the Planning Committee.  This includes the majority of household extensions and other smaller scale proposals.
14. I'm not happy with this application being a delegated decision - how do I get it referred to the Planning Committee?
You should contact one of your local Councillors*, and if they feel it is necessary for the application to be considered by the Planning Committee they will ‘call it in’ for determination, provided this is done within a certain time frame.

*To find your local Councillors look under ‘Ward’ in the Council & Democracy section in ‘My Spelthorne’
15. Can I speak at the Planning Committee meeting?
The Council’s public speaking procedure (Pdf 39kb) enables one person to speak at Committee in favour of the application and one against.  Each speaker is given 3 minutes and they must register to speak with the Committee Clerk on the day, or day before, the Committee meeting.
16. My planning application has been refused.  How can I appeal?
You will find details of how to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate on the back of the decision notice.  However, it is always a good idea to speak to the planning officer involved first to see if the reasons for refusal can be overcome by submitting a revised application.  Further information can be found on our webpage 'Appeals against planning decisions'.
17. Can I appeal against you giving my neighbour permission?
The planning system in this country only allows the applicant to appeal against a decision made by the Council.  
18. I've got planning permission but I want to change something slightly.
You will need to formally write to the Planning Department and submit a plan showing what you want to alter.  The Council are only able to accept very minor alterations to a planning permission without requiring a revised application to be submitted.  There is, however, a charge for this service *i.e. £25 for a householder application and £170 for any other application.
19. How long is the permission valid?
Three years.  This information can be found on the decision notice.

Trees
1. How can I find out if a tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)?
TPOs can be viewed via the Planning Constraints page.  Alternatively, you can search on ‘My Spelthorne’ via the ‘My Nearest’ tab.  If in doubt, please contact Customer Services 01784 451499.
2. Can I get a TPO placed on a tree?
You will need to write to the Planning Department with a sketch plan clearly showing where the tree is and explaining why you think it should be protected.  The Council’s tree consultant will then inspect the tree and assess whether it warrants a TPO.
3. Do I need permission to do work on a tree with a TPO?
You will need to submit an application form (Section 31 of 1App Form) and should receive a response within 6-8 weeks.
4. Do I need permission to do work on a tree in a Conservation Area?
Before carrying out any work on trees in a Conservation Area you must give the Planning Department a minimum of 6 weeks notice in writing identifying the trees and proposed work - preferably using the 1App form (Section 31 of 1App Form).  This is to give the Council the opportunity to assess the appropriateness of the work and to make a Tree Preservation Order if necessary.  You should receive a response within 6-8 weeks.
5. Who do I need to contact about a tree in the pavement outside my house?
Surrey County Council deal with street trees and can be contacted on 0300 200 1003.
6. Who should I get to carry out work on my trees?
It is recommended that an approved contractor is used to carry out any work necessary.  The Arboricultural Association (external link) has a directory of Approved Contractors and Registered Consultants.

Property Information
1. How can I find out information about my property and surrrounding area?
'My Spelthorne' allows you to find out information about your property and its surrounding area.  You can find out if the area is liable to flood, whether you live in a Conservation Area or if your house is Listed, who your local Councillors are, planning applications nearby, when your rubbish/recycling is to be collected, etc.
2. Can you tell me who owns the land?
The Council do not hold details of land ownership.  You can either contact the Land Registry on 0191 301 3500 or via their website - www.landregistry.gov.uk (external link).
3. Can I see the original plans for my house/estate?
These are available from 1948 onwards, but can only be viewed on microfiche at the Council Offices.  Copies of drawings from microfiche or CD readers can be made but this may take up to 48 hours and there is a charge for this.

Planning Policy
1. Does the Council have a Local Development Framework?
The Council adopted a Core Strategy and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) in February 2009 and an Allocations DPD in December 2009.  The Council is also in the process of preparing Supplementary Planning Documents.
2. Does the Council have a Local Plan?
Most of the Council’s planning policies are now set out in its Core Strategy and Policies DPD and Allocations DPD.  However, 6 policies in the Spelthorne Borough Plan 2001 were ‘saved’ and still apply.  These relate to the Green Belt, Archaeological areas and Sites of Nature Conservation Importance.
3. Does the Council currently propose to review the housing figures in its Core Strategy and Policies DPD?
It has no current plans to do so.
4. I need some statistical information on housing/employment/population, etc?
The Council’s Annual Monitoring Report sets out a lot of up-to-date statistical information about the Borough.  There are also a number of other research documents which are available via Planning Publications on the website.

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