Access to Planning Information Policy
Reform of the Planning System includes a commitment to increase public access to planning information and making sure that charges for copies of planning documents do not disadvantage those trying to get involved in the planning process. This policy is designed to ensure access to information and charging policies are inclusive and encourages the public to become more involved in the planning process.
There are national and European legislative provisions that are relevant to the rights of access to information and production of copies of material. This Policy accordingly takes into account those provisions that are contained in the various Local Government Acts, The Data Protection Act, The Freedom of Information Act, the various Planning Acts and European Information Directives.
Most Planning information is available through the Public Statutory Register or the Freedom of Information Act 2000, however, some information may be exempt from public inspection under the Data Protection Act or the 2000 Act.
Charges that are made by the Council for the copying of various documents take into account costs of employee time for retrieval and copying, as well as costs of postage and any other associated administration costs.
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 provides that copyright is not infringed by the copying or issuing to the public of copies of material by or with the authority of the appropriate person for the purpose of enabling the material to be inspected at a more convenient time or place or otherwise facilitating the exercise of any right for the purpose of which the requirement is imposed. Copies so provided must be marked in accordance with the requirements of The Copyright (Material Open to Public Inspection) (Marking of Copies and Plans and Drawings) Order 1990.
Thus the copying of plans and drawings appropriately endorsed are not restricted by copyright law.
For the purposes of Section 47 of the 1988 Act the appropriate person shall be David Hale (Development Control Manager).
A form (must be completed and signed before plans protected under copyright can be issued) (PDF 51.9KB). Customers should be aware that these documents should not themselves be copied or passed to a third party to avoid breach of the Copyright Law.
Fees and Charges are reviewed and revised by the Council on an annual basis. The charges referred to in this Policy are therefore those contained in the Council’s current fees and charges schedule applicable at the time the fee or charge is payable
Any fees payable must be received before the documents are provided, and the fees chargeable at any time will be on the current schedule of fees for copy documents, which can be found using the link at the bottom of this page.
Any information retrieved by customers for themselves from the website and therefore does not impact on the Council, is free of charge.
