A general overview of the Council's delegation agreement for planning

The Need for Delegation

Arrangements for making decisions on planning applications under delegated powers given to the Chief Planning Officer have been in place since 1998.  A significant proportion of applications are now decided by the Chief Planning Officer.  The advantages of such a system are:

• It helps reduce the time needed to decide straightforward development control decisions, which are consistent with Council policy.
• It leaves Committee Members more time to concentrate on major or controversial planning issues.
• It helps the Council to achieve a more flexible and responsive development control service, so that service targets can be met.

Delegation does not change the publicity and consultation requirements affecting applications. Details of all planning applications are listed in the agenda available for inspection by the public and copies of all current applications are also available for inspection at the Town Hall Main Reception during normal office hours.

Each application is publicised, which involves the sending out of neighbour notification letters, the posting of notices on site, and/or placing a notice in the local press.

When is it not Delegated?

Any letters or consultation replies received about an application from a member of the public will be considered and will be crucial in deciding whether the application is referred for decision to the Planning Committee or whether the Chief Planning Officer can determine the application as a delegated item.

Councillors of Epsom & Ewell can require any application to be referred to Planning Committee for decision.  In this way, the rights of Councillors are fully protected and delegated powers will not be used.  As a general rule, the following types of applications may be determined at Planning Committee:

• Departures from the existing policy or proposal within the Planning policies, national or regional guidance, or any other approved planning guidance in force at the time of the decision
• More than five residential dwellings
• Retail space over 500m2
• Industrial and warehouse space over 500m2
• Office space over 500m2
• Sports and other development in the Green Belt
• Community facilities above 250m2
• Major alterations to Listed Buildings
• Significant changes within Conservation Areas
• Bad neighbour developments eg waste transfer stations
• Applications submitted by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council or Surrey County Council, except for approval of routine minor developments
• Any application submitted by or on behalf of a Councillor, former Councillor, employee or former employee of the Council, or the spouse/partner of any such person
• Any other developments that a Planning Officer feels are controversial.

Public Viewing

Files for planning applications decided under delegated powers hold all details of how the case officer reached their decision.  These files can be made available for public viewing at the Town Hall Main Reception during normal office hours, but it is best to contact reception staff first to make sure the file is available.