Pre-Application Guidance for Major Developments

Major development applications submitted to Islington raise very complex issues, due to factors such as a high density of development, mixed uses, a sensitive historic environment, high land values, an articulate and involved local population and a large number of workers and visitors to the borough.

We have an advice note that explains the procedure the council uses for providing pre-application advice on major and complex development proposals. Our intention is to help ensure that proposals comply with policy, that applications are valid when submitted, and to minimise delays for applicants.  The procedure will help speed up the development process, minimise application costs generally, and minimise abortive applications in particular.

Major Development is defined in the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 and includes proposals for:

• ten or more flats or houses
• provision of over 1,000 square metres of floorspace

There are other types of major development but these are unlikely to arise in Islington.

In addition to the above, the following developments will be subject to the pre-application procedure:

• proposals for development requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• proposals involving complex listed building or conservation issues
• telecommunications proposals for composite proposals for ten or more sites

Applicants for major development proposals are strongly encouraged to follow the procedure set out in the advice note. There is a fee for the service.

Click on the link under below, to view the Pre-Application Planning Advice Note.

Since the adoption of the formal Major Development Pre-application Procedure, in June 2006, the Public Protection and Development Management Division has refined and reviewed the procedure to ensure its effective delivery. As part of reviewing this service we have drawn comparisons with other London Boroughs delivering a similar service. It is now proposed that as of 12th November 2007, the fee for the Major Development Pre-application procedure will be increased to £2,350 (inclusive of VAT) to bring this charge in line with other London boroughs. This scheme of charging is operated under the Local Government Act 2003.

This fee will continue to apply to applications defined as major planning applications under the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995. In addition to this, the pre-application procedure will also apply to: proposals for developments requiring an EIA; proposals involving complex listed building or conservation issues; and telecommunications proposals for composite proposals for 10 or more sites.

If you wish to discuss whether this service is right for you, please call the Team Leader (Major Applications) via Contact Islington on 020 7527 2962.