Duty planning officer service

Coronavirus (Covid-19) update: In order to protect the safety of staff and service users, the Duty Planning Officer Service has been suspended until further notice

The Planning Service operates a duty officer service at Britannia House Customer Service Centre and Keighley Town Hall to provide a useful first point of contact to members of the public.

The duty officer will:

• Explain in broad terms how planning policy and design guidance will apply to alterations and extensions to domestic dwellings 
• Explain in broad terms how planning policy and design guidance will apply to small scale residential developments and small scale retail, business, industrial and other commercial developments
• Explain planning policy and requirements in relation to consent for signs and advertisements under the Advertisement Regulations
• Advise on alterations and extensions to existing retail, business, industrial and other commercial premises
• Explain listed buildings and conservation/heritage requirements
• Advise on permitted development rights 
• Advise on requirements in respect of proposals for changes of use 
• Explain planning procedures, including consultation, publicity  and decision making processes once an application is submitted
• Advise on referral to other specialist Council services

Please note that most site specific enquiries cannot be addressed without the benefit of thorough research, consultation and a site visit.  Consequently the Duty Officer is unable to advise on the likelihood of a particular proposal obtaining planning permission. If you require such advice you are advised to submit a pre application enquiry (where relevant).    

The duty officer will not:

• Provide views on the acceptability of proposals (you will need to submit a request for pre application advice).
• Provide a definitive answer as to whether planning permission is required (this will only be provided after submission of a Certificate of Lawfulness application).
• Discuss enquiries relating to current applications and appeals (you will need to contact the case officer).
• Discuss enquiries relating to reasons for refusal or conditions imposed on determined applications (you will need to make an appointment with the case officer).
• Discuss enquiries relating to current enforcement investigations (you will need to contact the enforcement team).
• Determine requests for specific Non-Material amendments (you will need to submit a request for a non material amendment).
• Respond to requests for written pre-application advice (you will need to submit request for pre application advice).
• Provide advice on major development proposals (you will need to submit a request for major pre application advice).
• Provide assistance with the completion of forms and validation enquiries.

Book an appointment

The duty officer is available on an appointment basis:

• between 10am and 4pm on Mondays and 10am and 1pm on Wednesdays at Britannia House 
• between 10am and 1pm on Tuesdays at Keighley Town Hall

Please contact us on 01274 434605 to make an appointment. Appointments are scheduled to last no more than 15 minutes.

Useful information to bring to your appointment

It would be helpful if you could bring the following information with you when visiting the Duty Officer:

• A plan or drawing of the property or site in question
• The position and dimensions of any planned extension or development
• Information or sales leaflets showing what you are proposing to do
• Photographs of the property or site and the surrounding area

Please note that the advice given is an informal officer opinion based on the information supplied to the Council and is without prejudice to the formal consideration of any enquiry or application subsequently submitted.