Delivering Major Developments - A Pre-Application Guide (Non Statutory)

The Highland Council is committed to the creation of sustainable communities to ensure balanced population growth and economic development across area to deliver a fairer and healthier Highland.

To assist in the delivery of these aims, and in line with the requirements of the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006, we have put in place new processes for dealing with major planning applications.

Regulations defining major developments have been issued by the Scottish Government and will come into force on the 6th April 2009. ‘Delivering Major Applications - A Pre Application Guide’, details what type of development we would encourage to engage with the Council as part of this pre-application procedure.

This new service from The Highland Council will help to make the planning process more efficient by encouraging early and effective consultation which will assist in avoiding some of the difficult situations that may arise during the application process. If you would like to use this service please chose one of the pre-set dates and fill in the pre-application meeting request form.

By using this service you can be assured a joined up approach will be taken to your application and you will receive advice on a number of matters including:

Principle and Policy
Constraints
Design
Sustainability
Amenity
Transport
Public Consultations
Financial Contributions
Documentation or information requirements

For details on the process and how we will deal with any subsequent planning application please download the Delivering Major Developments - A Pre-Application Guide.

Dates for pre-application meetings 2012 (pdf, 20kb)
Pre-App Meeting request form (doc, 76kb)
Delivering Major Developments (pdf, 120kb)
Non Submission form (doc, 38kb)
Feedback Form (doc, 55kb)

Disclaimer

The Council will make every effort to ensure that the advice given in the pre-application process is as accurate as possible. However any advice given by Council officers for pre-application inquiries does not constitute a formal decision of The Council with regards to any planning application and, whilst it may be a material consideration, cannot be held to bind The Council in its validation or formal determination of a subsequent application.

If an application is subsequently submitted which fails to take on board advice given by officers, then The Council may refuse it without further discussion with the applicant or their agent.

Freedom of Information

There is a possibility that, under the Freedom of Information Act, The Council will be asked to provide information regarding inquiries for pre-application advice and copies of any advice provided or correspondence entered into. This information may only be withheld if its disclosure could prejudice commercial interests, inhibit the free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views during the planning process, or could prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs. Those seeking pre-application advice should provide a covering letter that sets out the reasons why, and for how long, any information relating to the case needs to remain confidential.

It will be for The Council to decide whether information can be treated as exempt from disclosure and it should be recognised that the thrust of the legislation is to make information accessible unless there is a pressing reason why not. Each case will be assessed on its merits. The passage of time may remove the need for exemption as information becomes less sensitive. Generally, notes and correspondence relating to pre-application discussion will not be treated as confidential, once a planning application has been submitted and the case is in the public domain.