Planning
Details of all Saltford planning applications can be found on Bath & North East Somerset Council's planning applications search page.
Site Visits
Applicants and occupants of properties neighbouring an application may request a site visit when an application is on the Parish Council’s agenda. A member or members of the Council would come and view the development site from your property. On such a fact-finding visit, they would not be able to express any opinion on the application – the planning merits of what is proposed will be discussed at the above meeting – but they would be able to point out the relevant policies in the B&NES Local Plan. The Parish Council can either support an application, object to it, or offer comments. Formal objection can be made only if, in the Council’s opinion, the proposals conflict with a policy, or policies, in the Local Plan.
The Planning System
Guidance on Planning matters, including the rules on development which does not require planning permission ("permitted development"), can be found on the Government's Planning Portal. There is also a link on this page to the interactive house guide which is particularly useful for householders contemplating development.
Advertisements and illuminations - B&NES planning guidance
Outdoor advertisements and signs - Department for Communities & Local Government guidance
Planning contraventions
The Parish Council reports any cases of possible contraventions of planning control to Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), which is the authority responsible for enforcing planning law.
Individuals can also ask B&NES’ Planning Enforcement team to investigate possible breaches of planning control. However B&NES is unable to notify the Parish Council of cases reported to them where the first informant was not the Parish Council.
So the Parish Council requests that Saltford residents advise the Parish Council of any complaints they make to the enforcement section of B&NES Council, in order to assist the Parish Council in monitoring possible planning contraventions.