Planning Permission
Important information relating to Planning files dated 2000-2006
We would like to make you aware that there may be temporary delays in retrieving planning files dated between 2000 – 2006 in the weeks running up to Christmas, due to our digitisation process. Should you require access to these files, please contact Planning & Public Protection reception on 01633 648095 or email adminteam.planningpp@torfaen.gov.uk| with your request and we will do our utmost to retrieve this information as quickly as possible for you.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The need to apply for planning permission is governed by legislation laid down by Central Government and prospective applicants are advised to consult the published guide relating to the type of development to be carried out, or by visiting us in County Hall Cwmbran for a Duty Officer consultation (no appointment necessary), where a planning officer is available to answer your queries and to give informal advice. The duty rota currently operates during the following times:
Tuesdays and Thursday 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Permitted Development
Planning permission is not required for a "permitted development", although a building regulations application may be needed. If in doubt, seek advice from the Planning Services Section, or use our Householder Pre-app Proforma available on our Planning Forms| page to determine whether or not planned alterations to your home may be considered as permitted development. For other non-domestic uses, please either write in with details to the contact address, or email us or make use of the Duty Officer service detailed above.
Types of Application
Hard copy Planning Application forms are available from the planning office located at:
Planning and Public Protection
Torfaen County Borough Council
Floor 4
County Hall
Cwmbran
Torfaen
NP44 2WN
For details of all application types and their requirements for submission, please refer to our Planning Forms| page for information and submission instructions which has PDF versions of the application forms and guidance, along with the options for submission through the Planning Portal|.
Planning Charges
The appropriate fee must also accompany the application before it can be determined. Our current Fee Schedule is available from our Planning Forms| page which also gives details on categories which are exempt from planning fees or have similar concessions. This information is also available from the planning office.
The Planning Register
Details of each application, and of the Local Planning Authority's decision, are entered in the planning register and may be viewed by the public during office hours (8:30am -5:00pm Mon – Thurs, 8:30am - 4:30pm Fri). From October 2000, the Weekly List of applications are available for viewing on the Planning Applications Weekly List| page and a record of the Decisions made on planning applications can be found on the Planning Application Decisions| page.
Consultations & Determination
When a planning application has been registered, consultations are carried out with statutory bodies and internal departments. Applications affecting the character or appearance of a conservation area and certain major and/or contentious applications must be advertised in the local press and on site. Occupiers of adjoining land and those with objections or comments to make on planning grounds are invited to make representations before an application is determined. These must be put in writing and will be publicly available for viewing at the planning office. The Planning Committee meets every four weeks and deals with all major and contentious applications; those wishing to speak for/against an application must make their intentions known prior to this meeting. All other applications are dealt with under delegated powers. Full listings of Planning Committee meeting dates, item agendas, minutes and reports can be found on the Council & Democracy| pages of this website.
Time Limits
All standard planning applications are determined within eight weeks of receipt of a valid application unless the applicant agrees to an extension of time. Other types of application such as those with Prior Notification or Environmental Impact Assessment elements to them may be determined in a shorter or longer period of time respectively. Development must normally be carried out within the issue of consent, typically five years from the date of decision.
Planning Appeals
Any appeals may be made to the Secretary of State for Wales under Sections 78 and 79 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The Planning Inspectorate| deals with both the appellant and Local Planning Authority in it’s capacity as independent body for disputes on planning decisions. An appeal may be lodged up to six months from the date of the decision notice or from the expiry of the eight week determination period.
Enforcement
Where development has been carried out without the necessary permission first being obtained, the Council is empowered to take enforcement action in order to remedy any breach of planning control.
Planning Aid
The Planning Aid Service| provides an independent source of information and advice on planning matters. You can write to the Planning Aid Service at their South Wales address: The Maltings, East Tindall Street, Cardiff.
If you have a query relating to planning you may alternatively contact your local Citizen's Advice Bureau|.
Health and Safety Executive
If you are a business having construction or refurbishment work done, you may need to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and you may have other duties as well - find out more at www.hse.gov.uk|