Issue - meetings

The Local Validation Requirements List outlines the information that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council requires to be submitted to enable validation of the planning related application, including mandatory national requirements as set out in national planning policy, guidance and legislation and the localinformation requirements specific for Epsomand EwellBorough Council.

The List was consulted from 25 April to 26 May 2024. Four submissions were received relating to the requirements for tree works applications and in relation to Flood Risk Assessments.

The draft List is attached at Appendix 1. it is intended as a wholesale review of the current List, including to incorporate legislative changes and to provide further detail about what and when information is required, primarily to minimise invalidation of applications and to speed up the validation process.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (with 7 votes for, 1 vote against and 1 abstention) to:

(1)        Adopt the Local Validation Requirements List at Appendix 1 to the report.

The Committee received a report presenting the updated Local Validations List for adoption.

The following matters were considered:

a)             Page 71 of agenda pack – Ownership Certificate D. In response to a question from a member, the Planning Development and Enforcement Manager informed the Committee that applications requiring a Category D certificate (where the applicant does not know any of the owners of the site) were very rare. An example of a use of Certificate D was rights of way/alleyways where the applicant did not know the owner.

b)             Consultation responses. The Vice Chair informed the Committee that a consultation response in relation to trees had been submitted by the Ewell Village Resident’s Association. The Vice Chair informed the Committee that he was aware of the consultation response, but had no involvement with it.

c)             Ownership of trees in conservation areas. In response to a question from a member, the Planning Development and Enforcement Manager informed the Committee that there was no legal requirement for approval to tree works to be provided by tree owners on the application form. The Committee was also informed that a proposal to require the replanting of felled trees in conservation areas would be a matter for the relevant policy document, not the Validation Requirements List.

d)             Page 89 – Green Belt Statement. In response to a question from a member, the Committee was informed that increase in harm to the Green Belt was primarily measured in the volume of the extension or new building when measured against the original building.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (with 7 votes for, 1 vote against and 1 abstention) to:

(1)        Adopt the Local Validation Requirements List at Appendix 1 to the report.