Major Players should pay for Planning Advice

Lib Dem councillors have brought a Motion to the Council asking for charges to be made for advice given by council officers in advance of a major planning application being formally registered.

Cllr Alison Kelly (Town ward) says that other councils charge for this advice and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council should be doing the same. The proposals will not affect minor planning applications or householders and are geared toward the major developers. It is in the interests of a major developer to seek guidance before submitting a Planning Application, but this can take up valuable time on the part of council-employed planning officers both in discussion and on site visits.

A report presented to the Environment Committee, written by the Head of Development, concluded " ... in common with all Council divisions it is necessary for Planning to deliver savings and appropriate opportunities for additional revenue need to be examined ..."

The matter will receive a second airing at a meeting of the whole council on 20th July.