What You Can Expect from the Service

What the Development Control Service does:

The aim of the Development Control service is to ensure that:

• land and buildings in the District are used in a way that is best for the whole community
• pressures for change do as little harm and as much good as possible to the environment
• local people have a say in what happens around them

Most new buildings, major alterations to existing buildings, as well as changes in the uses of land and buildings need planning permission from the District Council. Our job is to provide the right balance between encouraging development which provides homes, jobs, services for the community and protecting the character of our towns, villages and countryside.

In reaching a decision on applications, the Council always takes into account the views of those people who are likely to be affected by the development. We can usually only refuse permission where it is clear that the proposal would damage the environment or the quality of life of local people to an unacceptable degree, or where it would be contrary to the policies laid down in our District Local Plan.

How we can help

We aim to provide an immediate service to allow you access to information you are entitled to see. Records of past planning applications are available for inspection although officers may be working on certain files, in which case you will be given an appointment to inspect the file. Files on enforcement cases are confidential until an appeal has been made against an Enforcement Notice.

There are Planning Surgeries to help with general enquiries on planning matters. The times are:

Monday: 9am - 11am

Tuesday: 2pm - 4pm

Thursday: 2pm - 4pm

Friday: 9am - 11am

If enquiries concern complex issues or significant research then you should submit your request in writing.

We will return your telephone calls within two working days.

If you request a meeting then we usually require you to send some details in advance of the meeting to allow an officer time to prepare for it and in order that you get the most out of the meeting.

Following the receipt of details we may contact you to establish whether the matter could be dealt with by means of a telephone conversation or exchange of letters. If a meeting is necessary we would normally try and arrange it within ten working days of the receipt of the details.

Hart tries to ensure satisfactory development schemes by negotiation and only refuses planning permission when an application is fundamentally unacceptable.

We will make every effort to acknowledge receipt of an application or say it is invalid in writing within three working days. We will provide you with a reference number and the name of the officer to contact with any queries.

We will make every effort to deal with planning applications within eight weeks of validation. If we cannot determine an application within the timescale we will explain why in writing.

If an application is not decided within six weeks we will give a progress report and advise how the decision on the application is likely to be made.

Some applications are finalised within the Department under the powers delegated to the Head of Planning Services. Others are decided by the Planning Committee which normally meets every four weeks. You are entitled to attend these meetings to hear the discussion. Details of the time and place are available from the Reception Counter at the Civic Offices, from Development Control staff or by viewing online the time table of council meetings.

We will normally respond within ten working days to letters from the public requesting planning advice. If further research is needed to provide you with a complete answer we will send an acknowledgement and give you an indication of the likely response time, and the name of the person dealing with your letter.

How can we improve the service?

Let us know about any problems you have experienced or suggestions you may have regarding the service call our Planning Help Desk on Tel: 01252 774419

or by writing to :Planning Services, Hart District Council, Civic Offices, Harlington Way, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 4AE

Help us to help you

There are several things that you can do to help us provide a quick and efficient service:

quote the application number and site address when you phone or write,

follow the Guidance Notes supplied with your application forms when filling in the application details and submit the appropriate drawings and information to support your application.

What to do if things go wrong

If you are dissatisfied with our services in any way, contact us.

Complaints made in writing will be responded to within ten working days. If because of the nature of your complaint we are unable to complete the investigation within ten days, we will write and let you know when to expect a full response.

You might also wish to speak to your local District Councillor.

If your complaint is not resolved or dealt with to your satisfaction, ask for a copy of our Comments, Complaints and Compliments leaflet. This explains in detail how you can pursue the matter further.

By contacting us you can help us improve our service to you.

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