Development Control
Our role
Kennet's Development Control Service has a key role to play in achieving the Council's vision of maintaining sustainable communities and the desire of local residents to protect the environment. Almost two-thirds of the district lies in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it contains 69 designated conservation areas and more than 4,000 listed buildings. The Avebury area and some of its surrounds have been designated as part of the Avebury and Stonehenge World Heritage Site. The district also includes two national nature reserves, 20 sites of special scientific interest and habitats that are of national importance for biodiversity and the protection of rare species. The Development Control Service deals with over 1700 planning applications a year, aiming to protect and enhance the character and appearance of the area whilst allowing for the necessary new development that provides the housing, jobs and services that sustain our rural communities.
Our structure
The Development Control Service is part of the Council's wider Planning Services Unit. The Service is split into two area-based teams that cover the north and south of the district. The officers in these teams report to the Head of Development Control & Conservation who in turn is responsible to the Planning Services Manager. The structure and names of the officers can be found by following here (pdf, 16 KB).
Our work
The construction of new houses, factories and shops, as well as many extensions to houses and changes of use of buildings and land all require planning permission from the Council. We determine these applications, taking account of national and local planning policies, the views of local residents and consultees. We also provide advice on the prospects of obtaining planning permission (see below) and deal with those cases where the Council refuses permission and the applicant appeals to the Secretary of State. The Government sets targets for certain aspects of our performance, particularly the time taken to determine planning applications. Kennet's performance has consistently been well above the national average.
For more information on areas of our service, please see below:
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Obtaining pre-application advice and finding out if your proposal requires planning permission; follow here for link
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How we determine planning applications; follow here for link
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How to comment on a planning application; follow here for link
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The appeal process and how to make an appeal; follow here for link
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Frequently asked questions - including the need for planning permission for renewable energy schemes; follow here for link
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Definitions of planning terms - What are areas of outstanding natural beauty; Conservation areas; article 4 directions; article 3 restrictions; listed buildings; etc; follow here for link
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Enforcement-report a breach of planningcontrol on-line and view enforcement notices served by the council; follow here for link
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Download planning application forms and advice on their completion and payment of fees follow here for link
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Kennet planning news update; follow here for link
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Map based information service access an online map to see what planning applications have been made for a property.follow here for link