New pre-app service launches for South Downs National Park Authority
January 9, 2025
Stella New, Development Management Lead, introduces a new service that was recently launched for applicants, developers and agents.
The Authority rolled out a new Pre-Application service on 1 October 2024 to streamline and speed up the service.
There are now two stages, with Stage 1 providing a brief, desktop appraisal to assess the in-principle acceptability of a proposal, and Stage 2 providing more detailed advice with at least one site visit or meeting.
Stage 1 responses will advise whether the development is acceptable; acceptable subject to amendments; or unacceptable in principle and will normally be provided within three weeks. Advice will also be given as to whether the proposal is likely to be subject to statutory considerations such as Biodiversity Net Gain, the Habitats Regulations and Water or Nutrient Neutrality.
Stage 2 responses are intended for proposals on allocated sites or within settlement boundaries, or that have received an ‘acceptable’ or ‘acceptable subject to amendments’ response at Stage 1.
Detailed advice will be provided on matters such as design, heritage, ecology, dark skies etc. and consultee advice will be sought in the normal way. Some proposals may also benefit from separate pre-application advice from other bodies such as Local Highways Authorities, Local Lead Flood Authorities, the Environment Agency and Natural England.
Stage 2 responses are normally provided within eight weeks unless additional meetings/workshops are required.
Planning Performance Agreements will be required for schemes of 25 or more dwellings and commercial development of 5,000sqm or more.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric checks are also available to see whether a BNG metric is valid prior to submission.
The fee schedule can be found here.
Additional meetings and site visits will incur an additional fee. Advice for agricultural and affordable housing development will be free of charge.
We will be reviewing the service after six months.