Planning applications
We continue to handle a very high volume of planning applications and experience staffing pressures. Coupled with phosphate related restrictions, this is leading to delays in determining applications and responding to enquiries. We apologise for this and staff are working hard to address the backlog.
Enforcement
The number of enforcement cases remains very high. We will continue to take enforcement action when it is in the public interest. We will undertake an initial review of all new investigations. The timing of further action will depend upon relative priorities and may take longer than usual.
Pre-Application Advice Service
Our pre-application and statutory pre-application services are still available, but again responses will take longer than set out in our guidance. Details can be found here:- Charging for Pre-Application Planning Advice | Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority
Phosphates
Current guidance from Natural Resources Wales.
See specifically Advice to planning authorities for planning applications affecting phosphorus sensitive river Special Areas of Conservation
and Principles of nutrient neutrality in relation to development or water discharge permit proposals
Please note Natural Resources Wales guidance is live and is updated periodically.
In terms of planning policy, progress of Local Development Plan (LDP) 2 is currently on pause as a result of the phosphate constraint. Following confirmation from Welsh Government the adopted Local Development Plan (2007-2022) remains in place and material.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Authority is unable to receive cash, cheques or telephone card payments at this time. Payment of planning application fees can be made via the planning portal or via BACS transfer. Planning fees should be paid at the time of submitting your application. Payment for pre-planning enquiries should be made by BACS transfer.
The Authority does not accept purchase orders and do not issue invoices in respect of planning application fees. Any other remittances or other financial queries should be sent by email to finance@beacons-npa.gov.uk
Frequently asked questions:
Will officers be contactable?
The demand on individual case officers remains very high and we are now implementing a system whereby case officers who have over a certain threshold of cases have designated periods in the week where they are contactable. Outside of those hours officers will be focussing on decision writing. Details of availability for those officers with over a certain threshold of cases will be set out in automated email responses from officers otherwise our Planning Admin team can assist with any queries on this (contactable via planning.enquiries@beacons-npa.gov.uk). We ask that you remain appreciative of workload pressures when seeking contact with the team. Please be assured, however, that we will continue to do our utmost in responding to queries and working through cases in a timely manner.
Will my application take longer?
We endeavour to deal with all applications as quickly as possible, but for the reasons set out above it will take longer than normal and we will continue asking agents and applicants for extensions of time.
Is Planning Surgery still operating?
Unfortunately, we have taken the decision to continue with the suspension of our free planning surgery for householders for the foreseeable future due to the lack of officer capacity. We understand that this service is very valuable to householders and we are keeping the situation under review. An alternative to this service is to submit a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use to establish if planning permission is required https://www.planningportal.co.uk/wales_en/info/5/applications/58/consent_types/9