Planning Service FAQ If you have a question for the planning service, (which includes Development control, Enforcement, Conservation and Design, Transport, and Building Control), then you may find the answer among the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Q I am proposing development to my property, what am I permitted to do and what are the restrictions? A Planning permission is not always required when undertaking development to your property. The Department for Communities and Local Government has created a helpful guide to assist with assessing your permitted development rights. Q How do I calculate cubic content? A In order to determine whether planning permission is required, you may need to know the cubic content of your existing dwelling(s) and structure, including any proposed development. The Planning Portal has created a helpful cubic content volume calculator to help with this calculation: Planning Portal cubic volume calculator Q Do I need planning permission to work from home? A Planning permission is not normally required where the use of part of a dwelling house for business purposes does not materially change the overall character of its use as a residence. For further information, the following guidance is available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website: Q How much will my planning application cost? A A guide describing planning fees can be downloaded in PDF form from the following link: Q Do I need planning permission to erect signage or advertisements? A Advertisement consent is often required to display an advertisement. To find out the types of advertisements that require specific consent, the Department for Communities and Local Government has produced a helpful guide: Q Can I submit a planning permission application on-line? A yes, by accessing the following link (Please note that new users will need to register for this service): Q How do I make a complaint about a breach of planning control? A To make a complaint about a breach of planning control please contact the planning enforcement team by visiting the one stop counter on the 5th floor of the New Town hall, phoning 020 8871 6636, sending an email to boroughplanner@wandsworth.gov.uk or by writing to the Council at: Planning Enforcement Team, Wandsworth Borough Council, The Town Hall, Wandsworth, London, SW18 2PU. You can obtain further information on the complaints procedure at the following location: Q What will happen if I carry out unauthorised development? A By undertaking development that is a breach of planning control you could be liable for enforcement action. You can obtain information on enforcement action by visiting the following link. Enforcement action information Q Why should I use Building Control? A You are required by law to have your work inspected to ensure that it complies with the minimum standard of the building regulations. Q What do I do if I see a dangerous building? A We have a personon duty at all times to deal with potentially dangerous buildings and structures. If necessary we can have the danger removed straight away by our own contractors. To notify use of a dangerous building please call us on: 020 8871 7620 during office hours Q What do I do if my neighbour wants to do work to my party wall? A Party walls come under separate legislation which we cannot deal with. We are happy to give you general advice but you may need to contact a specialist party wall surveyor. For further information you can download the "Party Walls Advice Leaflet" in PDF format: Q How do I make a building control application? A You can apply for two types of building control application; either a building notice application or a full plans application. For information on both application types and how to make an application, please visit the following link: Building control application information Q How much will my building control application cost? A You can download a guide describing building control fees in PDF format from the following link: Q Can I submit my building control application on-line? A Yes, by accessing the following link (Please note that new users will need to register for this service): Q How do I get special permission to park on a red route? A To get special permission to park on a red route please call 020 8247 8154 for the Parking service (Police Traffic Warden Service). Q What is the Council's transport policy? A Our transport policy is contained within the Interim Local Implementation Plan (ILIP). Please note that the ILIP is being replaced by a Local Implementation Plan (LIP) in 2005. You can obtain a copy of the present ILIP in PDF form at the following link: Q How can I plan my journey on public transport? A You can use the travel planner on our website for a train or tube service or for buses you can use Tfl's journey planner at www.tfl.gov.uk. Q Are there any new tube, train or tram routes planned in Wandsworth? A We are currently lobbying for several major improvements, including a southern extension of the East London Line to Clapham Junction and the extension of the Croydon Tramlink to Tooting and Wandsworth. You can get further information on the planned routes at the following location: Q Do I need planning permission to locate tables and chairs on a highway? A You will normally require permission to put tables and chairs on the public highway, as this involves a change to the use of the land. You will, however, not normally require planning permission to do so on you own property provided the use is connected to the main use of you building. Q Where can I find out more about cycling routes? A We support the introduction of the London Cycle Network, which aims to provide a 2900 km network of safe, convenient and conspicuous cycle routes across London. You can find both bownloadable and online cycle maps together with a journey planner at: Q How can I find out about Conservation Areas and whether my property is located within a Conservation Area? A You can find information regarding Conservation Areas, including lists of properties that are located within Conservation Areas and information on the special controls in a Conservation Area, at the following link: Q How can I find out about listed buildings and whether my property is a listed building? A All listed buildings, including some photos, are located on our website. Please go to the following link to find if your property is included: Q Is my tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and how can I find out what trees are protected? A All trees that are protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) are located on our website. Please go to the following link and click on "Tree Preservation Orders". From there you can either download the list as a PDF file ("Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)"), or search the online register by selecting the "Tree Preservation Order Database" link: Q Can I submit a Conservation Area, a Tree Preservation Order or a Listed Building, planning permission application online? A Yes, by accessing the following link (Please note that new users will need to register for this service): Q Where can I find a copy of "Alterations to and Maintenance of Residential Properties (Do-it in Style)"? A You can download the document in PDF format from the "Planning Guidelines" section of the following link: Q Can I obtain a grant to enhance the character and appearance of my property? A Yes, we make grant assistance available for restoration schemes that enhance the street scene in conservation areas. You can find more information on the grants scheme at the following link: Q Do you know any contractors who can carry out works to my trees? A Follow the link below and select "Tree Surgeons". The list of aboricultural contractors is provided without prejudice and includes only companies that have successfully carried out work for Wandsworth Council. The non-inclusion of a company does not imply a criticism. Q What is the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and when was it adopted? A Our Unitary Development Plan (UDP) was adopted in August 2003 and is a revised and updated version of the original plan adopted in 1994. The UDP sets out policies on: Regeneration and General Development Principles; Townscape and the Built Environment; The River Thames and the Riverside; Housing; Business and Industry; Town Centres and Shopping; Community Services; Leisure and Recreation; Open Land and the Natural Environment; Utilities and other infrastructure; and Transport as well as proposals for specific sites and areas of the borough. The council uses these policies as a basis for deciding planning applications. You can find further information, including a downloadable version of the UDP in PDF format at the following link: Q Is Wandsworth Borough Council developing a Local Development Framework (LDF)? A The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires that a Local Development Framework (LDF) replace the Wandsworth Unitary Development Plan (UDP). We have taken the first step towards the new framework by submitting a Local Development Scheme (LDS) to the Government Office for London (GOL), which describes the content and timetable for production of the LDF. You can find out more information on the process by following the link below and then clicking on "Committee Report on the Draft LDS" (PDF format): Q What is the status of the Battersea Power Station Development? A You can find a comprehensive discussion on the Battersea Power Station development and access the relevant planning permission applications at the following link: Battersea Power Station development Q What is the Council's policy on affordable housing? A Look at the Affordable Housing Section of the Housing Chapter of the UDP document which contains the current policies. To do this follow the link below and click on "UDP Adopted August 2003". Q What particular policies do the Council have relating to the Wandsworth Riverside? A Look at the River Thames and the Riverside Chapter of the UDP document which contains the current policies. To do this follow the link below and click on "UDP Adopted August 2003". Q How can I go about finding census data and population statistics for my area? A The 2003 mid year estimate for the population of Wandsworth was 274,100. You can obtain census data information and ward level fact sheets from the following link: Q How many new residential dwellings have been built in the borough? A The Wandsworth New Housing Survey was conducted by a household questionnaire and forms part of a series of customer surveys undertaken by the Planning Service. You can obtain more information about the survey and a downloadable version of the report in PDF format. Follow the link below and click on either "New Housing Survey 2004" or "New Housing Survey 2004 - Summary": Q Where can I find information about potential and completed housing land developments? The housing land survey is carried out at the end of every calender and financial year. The report provides information on housing in the Borough including the number of new residential dwellings built, the number of developments in the pipeline and the number of affordable residential dwellings built. You can obtain information on the survey and a downloadable version of the report in PDF format by following the link below and then click on "Housing Land Report January 2006": Q Where can I find information about retail uses in town centres? A Retail surveys of the Borough's Town Centres, Local Centres and Important Local Parades are carried out on a bi-annual basis. You can find out details about the survey and a downloadable version of the reports in PDF format at the following location: Q Where can I find information about commercial developments in the borough? A The commercial land survey is carried out at the end of the calender year and provides information on applications in the development pipleline that involve a gain or loss of commercial floorspace (B1, B2 or B8). You can obtain further details about the survey and a downloadable version of the report in PDF format at the following location: |