Importance of Web GIS (1) Web GIS can also be used as a tool to encourage public participation and capture Voluntary Geographic Information Report graffiti of fly-tipping in your area Objections to planning applications Upload photos of an area Community Mapping Local Events relating to environmental or sustainability issues are of particular interest
air quality management areas allotments area consultative forum boundaries CCTV locations controlled parking zones council offices cycle routes historical industrial sites libraries one stop shops parking permit wembley event days parks and open spaces parliamentary constituencies planning applications polling districts public rights of way schools school catchment areas streetcare management areas streets tube and rail ward boundaries
Notifications can be given by site display for no less than 21 days, by advertisement in a newspaper circulating in the locality, or through an individual notification letter. Anyone can comment on a planning application.
In the Town and Country Planning Order 1995, “adjoining owner or occupier” is defined as “any owner or occupier of any land adjoining the land to which the application relates
In the Town and Country Planning Order 1995, “adjoining owner or occupier” is defined as “any owner or occupier of any land adjoining the land to which the application relates This concern is supported by a real planning application case which is found on the Planning Register of Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea as presented below. The application was for the change of use of a ground/upper basement floor from retail to banking facility. Planning permission was granted under delegated power on April 29, 2009. As recorded on the Delegated Report and Neighbour Notification List, 28 addresses were notified of the proposal by individual notification letters. No site or advertisement notification was given (Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, 2009). Figure xx illustrates the application site (within yellow rectangle) and actual notified areas (within red rectangles). It can be observed that only owners of properties adjoining the application site were notified as required by statutory order. However, the proposed application not only had significant impact on these notified neighbours, but also people living in its locality. People living within the circle with a 80 meters radius (Figure xx) might use and rely on the retail shop frequently, and the change of use might affect their everyday life greatly so they might object to the change. Nonetheless, most of them were not even aware of the proposed development simply because their properties were not “adjoin to” the proposed site. The example given above does not seem to be rare in the real world. Many proposed planning applications have influence on a much wider area than adjoining land. Consequently, amendment on existing statutory order or another means which could ensure all the relevant people getting notified of a proposed planning application is crucial.
If an applicant is not happy with the planning authority’s decision towards his or her planning application, the applicant can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the local decision. The applicant has to make an appeal within 6 months from the decision date, or in the cases of non-determination, the end of decision period (Planning Aid, 2006a). The people who commented on an initial planning application will be notified automatically of any appeal, and their original comments will be passed over to the Planning Inspectorate by their local planning authority. Any third party can comment on an appeal within 6 weeks from the date when the appeal has been accepted. The Inspector will judge whether the application is in line with the policies on national and local level, and whether there are any other planning considerations why the proposal should be approved (Planning Aid, 2006a). If people have concern about the council’s decision to approve their neighbour’s planning application, they can alternatively make a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman. People should make their complaint to the Ombudsman within 12 months of determining that the council has made wrong decision. Planning Inspectorate is a national level authority and part of the Department for Communities and Local Government. Even though there are many corrective actions that the Ombudsman can suggest to compensate for the complainer’ loss, the Ombudsman cannot force the council to neither turn over the planning decision nor tear down the development (Local Government Ombudsman, 2009a). On the contrary, making valid comments within local planning authority’s consultation period could exert their influence on the decision-making process instantly.