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In order to make comments about a planning application, you will need to refer to the Planning Policies that the local authority has to take into account when it considers whether to give the application permission or whether to refuse it.
If you can quote the bit of planning legislation that you think is your 'evidence' in favour of or against a planning application, this means that the planning officers (and the planning inspector in the case of an appeal) can take your point into consideration when they make their decision.
We have compiled some of the Inspectors' decision letters from planning appeals in Bristol so that you can see how the planning policy documents are used to explain and justify the Inspectors' decisions. You can find these in the Library.
They should also be of some help if you have planning applications of a similar nature.
Below is a list of planning policies that you can refer to.
All the planning policy documents are either on the Communities.gov.uk website or on the Bristol City Council website under planning.
BRISTOL DOCUMENTS (and regional documents)
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment-and-planning/planning/planning---local-plans/
1997 Adopted
Local Plan
The 1997
Adopted Local Plan is at present the main document used to determine
planning applications in Bristol. Policies in the plan should be referred to
by anyone wishing to submit a planning application. However, please note that
whilst most policies in the plan continue to apply, some are now obsolete (see
saved policies below). The link will take you to an NPN summary of the 'bold
type' policies under the Bristol Local Plan. For the complete Bristol Local
Plan see the BCC website link above.
1997 Adopted Local Plan Saved Policies
In 2007, policies in the Adopted Local Plan were reviewed and most were saved for future use. However, 8 policies were not saved and should no longer be referred to when submitting a planning application (see website for details).
2003 Proposed Alterations to the Local Plan
In 2003, the council published Proposed Alterations to the Bristol Local Plan. The proposed alterations are a material consideration when determining planning applications but generally carry less weight than policies in the Adopted Local Plan. (see Planning Inspectors decision letters where this comes up frequently)
Supplementary policy and guidance
In addition to the local plan, a collection of smaller documents provides supplementary policy and guidance in relation to specific topics and geographical areas. (These may or may not be given weight by Inspectors - see decision letters)
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REGIONAL PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Regional Spatial Strategy
The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) is a new kind of plan for the South West for up to the year 2026. It is be the main policy document setting out the spatial strategy for growth and development in the region, and the strategic policies that will shape this. Until a new strategy is published, RPG10 (see below) comprises the Regional Spatial Strategy.
Regional Planning Guidance 10
RPG10 (published in 2001) provides the current spatial planning strategy and context for the South West region to the year 2016. Local plans, Joint Local Transport Plans and other strategies and plans need to be prepared in conformity with Regional Planning Guidance.
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GOVERNMENT STATUTORY PROVISIONS
Planning Policy Statements (PPS)
Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) and their replacements Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) are prepared by the government after public consultation to explain statutory provisions and provide guidance to local authorities and others on planning policy and the operation of the planning system.
They also explain the relationship between planning policies and other policies which have an important bearing on issues of development and land use.
Local authorities must take their contents into account in preparing their development plans.
The guidance may also be relevant to decisions on individual planning applications and appeals.