Planning service and performance
Development quality
Development quality is just a part of the practical and
professional service available to you when working in the borough
of Knowsley.
In order to improve service delivery to residents and developers
in the borough, the Planning Services Division has joined the
Development Control (planning) and Building Control functions into
one unit consisting of two area teams.
Team commitment
To reinforce the team's commitment to quality we are accredited
to ISO 9001 and fully endorse the council's quality initiatives
such as Quality Assurance and Investor's in People. We have
also signed up to the Planning Users Concordat and the Enforcement
Concordat.
Since we started the Development Quality Team approach, we have
proved successful in facilitating and assisting major
employment-generating developments throughout the borough.
Knowsley's one stop shop approach
Our service delivery is based on the one stop shop and
development team approach. Whether your enquiry relates to a major
scheme, for which we will bring together a project team
co-ordinated by our site development manager, or it is a simpler
scheme for which you need to speak on a one-to-one basis with the
case officer, we will always have the right people available to
help you.
Pre-application discussions
We are happy to talk to potential applicants and agents
before an application is submitted so as to encourage quality
applications. A duty officer will be available Monday to
Friday between 9am and 5pm to provide general information and
advice either face to face or over the telephone.
Communication via email is also welcome to planning@knowsley.gov.uk or
to individual officers (email addresses made available on
request).
Fast tracking applications
We can offer a tracking for any major development proposals (see
below) and we also provide a dedicated householder development
service so we can target these applications for fast track
decisions.
Major developments
In the case of larger proposals, we advise applicants to make an
appointment with the site development manager or with one of the
development quality managers. A team of appropriate senior
officers can be called together, for example, highway engineers or
environmental health officers, and any relevant external statutory
consultee (such as the Environment Agency). An accurate brief
will be agreed setting a timetable for the development and
processing of the relevant development consents. Key issues such as
employment, transport and any environmental matters, and where
appropriate, the likely requirements of any legal agreement will
normally be discussed at this early stage.
Where such meetings are held, the planning officer present will
keep appropriate records of the discussion to assist in the
efficient processing of the application once formally
submitted. If requested the council will maintan
confidentiality at this stage.
Information given in response to pre-application discussions
will always be as accurate as possible and will be objective. Such
advice, however, cannot prejudice the outcome of a formally
submittee planning application. Written guidance notes will
be made available explaining in detail how to make a planning
application and will be sent out free of charge with application
forms. Details of relevent council planning policies, procedures
and committee dates will also be made available free of charge on
request as will general information about the development control
system.
Ordnance survey site plans will be made available on request for
a charge covering the licensing fee (payable to Ordnance Survey)
and a small administration charge.
Pre-application targets
- Where a major development is proposed (for commercial
developments this would normally include residential developments
with 10 or more dwellings or commercial and industrial developments
providing a floorspace of 1,000 sq.m gross), we will seek to
respond by setting up a meeting involving key senior council
officers and relevant external representatives within a timescale
of 7 working days.
- For development proposals requiring a response before this
timescale, we will be happy to discuss with the developer
their specific requirements and every effort will be made to
accommodate them.
- Where advice regarding new development is sought by letter we
will send a response within 10 working days. On occasion where a
full reply within this period may not be possible, we will
acknowledge the correspondence either by telephone or in writing
and an indication given as to when a full response should be
available.
- Where staff are unable to reply to telephone enquiries on
receipt, we will return calls within 1 working day.
For further information and to make use of this service
contact:
- Site Development Manager 0151 443 2238
- Development Quality Manager (North) 0151 443 2308
- Development Quality Manager (South) 0151 443 2394
Performance and quality
We aim to provide the highest standards of service and support
the council's corporate objective to make the borough a better
place to live, work, learn, and visit.
We want to make sure that you, our customers, know what to
expect from planning services, in terms of performance and service
delivery.
Your views count
If you would like to make a comment or complaint about any
aspect of planning services, whether it be about the quality of
service or advice from officers, please submit your views by
completing the council's have your say form.
We welcome your views so that we can improve our service.
