Residential Design Guide

(1) SECTION 10

The way forward and check list

The purpose of this section is to provide guidance to assist in making a planning application for residential development within Warwick District.

The District Council Planning Department will expect all applicants to have taken account of the advice given within this document and to have applied it to the specific site or sites which form part of their application.

The District Council will encourage and welcome pre-application discussions. These enable the relevant planning officer to set out on an informal basis how policy and guidance would be applied to a suggested proposal. Where a proposal will not meet the necessary standards then advice may be given which would enable the proposal to be redesigned in a way that would be more acceptable, prior to a formal planning application being lodged. This process should avoid unnecessary work.

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that their development achieves good layout and design and complies with policy BE1 and the advice given in this guide.

In drawing together the requirements for a formal planning application, the following check list sets out the relevant information that will need to be submitted:-

• Completed Application form.
• Sufficient drawings. (Produced by an architect or other qualified professional) to demonstrate fully the proposals for the site.
• A site location plan on an Ordnance Survey base.
• Indication of service of any relevant notices on owners or tenants of the site.
• Submission of a site analysis based on the Design Steps in Sections (a) to (k). (This will usually be a part of the Design and Access Statement where necessary (see previous note on P7).
• A design and access statement. Other relevant statements as applicable*
• Site photographs where necessary.
• Planning Fee.
• Any further relevant Information.

*See the Council's website for a full validation check list.

This document has been produced specifically to assist those wishing to make planning applications for residential dwellings whether for a small extension to an existing house, or a proposal for a new dwelling or a whole estate of new development. It is also a guide to those who wish to carry out development under 'permitted development' rights and would like to add value by utilising good design and integrating with the existing development and wider location.

Adopting the advice within this document will enhance not only the existing property where an extension is proposed, but will also reflect on the care that the developer has taken to widen their view and consider the environment as a whole. This can add not only financial and aesthetic value, but also provide a better sense of place and wellbeing.

Pre-application advice:

Pre-application advice is a way of finding out whether a specific proposed development would be likely to be acceptable and what the key issues will be before the submission of a formal application.

You should consult the Planning Department's web page in the first instance to see if you require planning permission www.warwickdc.gov.uk/planning. There are questionnaires which will help you assess the need for planning permission and guides to help you through the process. You may also contact a planning officer for specific advice regarding your proposal.

If you are a householder within the district you won't be charged for verbal advice about extending your home. If you would like to discuss your proposals, we would encourage you to book a slot at our 'householder drop in sessions' whereby you can obtain the advice of a planning officer in advance of making an application. To do this, please see our website for the telephone number you need to call and details of the information you will need to bring with you.

If you require a written opinion or have a meeting with a planning officer other than through the householder drop in session, or are proposing a major development, a charge will be made. For full details of this and the charging schedule, please consult the advice and download the leaflet published on our website.

We hope you find this document informative and helpful. Please refer to our website for more information which may apply to your specific project.