The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities designated Bristol City Council's planning service in relation to the speed of decision making for non-major planning applications.
From 9am on Wednesday 6 March 2024, anyone making a new, non-major planning application, residential development of between one and nine dwellings or development where the floorspace is less than 1,000 square metre, will have the choice between submitting their application to the council's planning department or to the national Planning Inspectorate (PINS).
The Planning Inspectorate aim to decide all non-major applications in 8 weeks. They do not routinely enter into negotiation, instead deciding the application only as submitted. If you choose to submit your application to PINS, you do not also receive the right to appeal the decision. A PINS decision is final.
The designation specifically relates to applications for “non-major development” that does not meet or exceed any of the criteria below:
The Planning Inspectorate do not presently have a mechanism under this arrangement to charge CIL.
They advise that CIL Liable applications should be directed to Bristol City Council. Planning Inspectorate guidance on this issue can be found Procedural guidance (GOV.UK).
The designation does not apply to any of the following applications:
These arrangements will remain in place while work continues to bring processing times down and clear the backlog of applications, and until the Secretary of State decides to revoke the designation.
