Planning and Development Management (Level 2)

Question 1

Tell me about an example of when you have applied pre-consultation and negotiation processes to the planning application process?

Answer 1

HQ4 Submission of RMA:
- Attended and participated in 2 pre-app meetings
- Topics for discussion were ground floor uses, provision of cycle space, linkages with wider transport network and answering planners questions about the scheme
- Provided clarity on application timelines and what would be acceptable under a NMA application
- Important and positive process - responsible for the swift validation of our application

Question 2

Give me an example of when you have interpreted strategic planning policies.

Answer 2

Student Accommodation Development, Bermondsey:

• Reviewed and interpreted planning policy to assess viability and development potential of a site for student accommodation
• Reviewed the site’s planning history as it had outline consent to see key policy points that were referenced
• Noticed that the site was designated as a Strategic Industrial Location under the London Plan (2021) – meant that employment workspace would have to be re-provisioned within any new development proposals
• Reduced the site’s income production – office/commercial space being less valuable than student beds
• Development site determined unviable

Question 3

How have you supported the making of planning applications and/or appeal documentation?

Answer 3

Case Study – Submission of RMA for HQ4:

• Reviewed planning policy and produced planning appraisal for the design development process
• Production of Viability Assessment Reports which were submitted to the client and included as part of the planning application
• Assessed design precedence and policy enforcement on approved applications by the LPA relating to provision of cycle storage and amenity spaces

Question 4

Retail Unit, Birmingham

Why did you need to review the method statement against the planning consent?

Answer 4

Needed to review the method statement for the following reasons:

1. Health and Safety – ensure that the working practices and fit out proposed was in keeping with building regulations, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety Executive
2. Planning – Ensure compliance with the planning permission granted and the planning conditions set out within

Question 5

Retail Unit, Birmingham

Was there an approved Construction or Logistics Management Plan?

Answer 5

Given the scale of the works and size of the unit there was a construction management plan but no logistics plan.

The construction management plan contained:
- Project Overview
- Preliminary Programme
- Schedule of Works
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Communication & Coordination
- Site Description
- Site Set-Up
- Access
- Neighbourly Relations
- Traffic Management
- Health & Safety

Question 6

Retail Unit, Birmingham

What were the planning conditions for the unit?

Answer 6

• Hours of Operation – between 8:00am – 6:00pm
• Use Class – Use Class E

Question 7

Retail Unit, Birmingham

Which use class would a hot food takeaway be?

Answer 7

Hot food takeaway is Sui Generis - does not fall within any particular use class for the purposes of planning permission

Question 8

Retail Unit, Birmingham

Had the tenant not complied, would planning enforcement action be
taken against them, or you as the building owner?

Answer 8

Local planning authorities are required to serve the Planning Enforcement Notice on all parties with an interest in the relevant land

• As a landlord, you are not absolved from potential liability under the Notice simply because the land is tenanted

Question 9

Bermondsey, PBSA Development Opportunity

What are Strategic Industrial Locations intended to do?

Answer 9

SILs exist to ensure London provides a sufficient number of quality sites, in appropriate locations, to meet the needs of industrial and related sectors, such as logistics, waste management etc

Two types of SILs:
- Preferred Industrial Locations, particularly suitable for general industrial, light industrial, waste management, and so on.
- Industrial Business Parks, particularly suitable for research and development and other activities that require a better-quality environment.

Question 10

Bermondsey, PBSA Development Opportunity

Did you consider any other planning changes to make the development viable again?

Answer 10

Explored different use types with the potential for higher values such as private for sale residential or btr however given the location of the site and the size these options weren’t viable either

Question 11

Bermondsey, PBSA Development Opportunity

What is a reserved matters application?

Answer 11

A reserved matters application is a planning application that is submitted following the approval of an outline planning consent
The aim of an RMA is to secure the outstanding details or ‘reserved matters’ that were not included in the outline application.