People in Exeter are being asked for their views on a set of charges set to be introduced for help and advice for those about to submit planning applications.
Exeter City Council is seeking feedback on its draft pre-application charging document for non-major development.
The purpose of the consultation is to determine whether the proposed charging schedule, descriptions of the services offered, expected response times, exemptions, and supporting guidance are all clear, reasonable and user-friendly.
The Council is looking to introduce charges for pre-application advice. Currently this service is discretionary, which means high demand can often exceed officer capacity, which can lead to extended response times.
Exeter is currently one of the few local planning authorities in the UK that does not charge for this type of service.
Introducing a charging schedule is intended to promote a more consistent and robust service for residents, agents and applicants. Furthermore, the revenue generated from these charges will be reinvested into the service to support its ongoing delivery, enhance service quality, and reduce reliance on the availability of officer capacity at any given time.
The survey is available on the City Council’s Engage website and only takes about five minutes to complete. Paper copies of the survey and draft charging template are available upon request from reception at the Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter, EX1 1JN.
The draft charging document is also available to view on the Engage website and provides details on the types of enquiries included, the level of service that will be provided, the information applicants need to supply, and the timescales for responses.
The Council invites residents, agents, and other stakeholders to share their views on the clarity of the document and the practicality of the proposed arrangements.
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