Have your say on change to planning applications
We are asking for comments on a proposal to make a minor change to the information needed to ‘validate’ planning applications.
The documents that have to be submitted as part of a planning application are put on a local list. We publish these as checklists for the different types of application on our website.
We are now proposing to add a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to the list of documents submitted with some larger planning applications.
Reasons for the proposal
The proposal will support the implementation of our local planning policy, set out in the City Plan Part One, to promote a healthy city for all. It requires that an HIA should be submitted on all strategic and larger developments in the city.
Councillor Marianna Ebel, lead member for planning policy, said: “As we recover from the pandemic it is more important than ever to design buildings, places and infrastructure that protect and promote health and wellbeing.
“By including HIAs as part of applications, we can help to ensure planning for health is part of the built and natural environment from the design stage and make positive impacts on the health of those who live, work and visit the city.”
How to submit comments
The consultation runs from 26 July to 5 September.
You can comment on the draft proposal by:
- Email to planning.applications@brighton-hove.gov.uk
- In writing to Simon Barrett, Service Development Manager, Planning and Building Control Service, City Development and Regeneration, Brighton and Hove City Council, 1st Floor, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ
The consultation results will be discussed by the Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee in September 2021 before a decision is made on whether to include the HIA in the local list of validation documents.
A full review of the local list will take place in 2022.
What validation is
Validation is the process planning officers go through to check that the right documents have been submitted with the planning application. It ensures all the relevant information is taken into account when deciding whether to approve or refuse the application.
When the validation is complete, the application is published on our planning register and the public can make comments.
The information we need before we can ‘validate’ planning applications includes:
- Documents such as the application form, fee, and certificates which are national requirements
- Local information such as the community infrastructure levy form or a flood risk assessment. This is known as the “Local List.”
The government recommends local planning authorities to review the “local list” every two years. We last reviewed our list in 2018 but our latest review has been postponed until 2022. This will allow us to take into account updated local policies in the City Plan Part 2 and changes to national planning legislation, policy and guidance.
