Guidance Notes

PLANS AND DRAWINGS

Introduction

Consideration of an application can often be delayed until the appropriate drawn information is received. Below offers guidance on the extent and type of information that the Council is looking for generally in a full application.

General

All drawings accompanying the application must be dated and numbered and these numbers must be indicated on the application form.

All revised drawings must indicate the full extent of the change and show a revision number/letter and the date of the revision.

The scale (or scales) of the drawings must be shown. All drawings should be to a suitable metric scale. Wherever possible drawings larger than A1 size should be avoided.

In outline applications, if drawings are for illustrative purposes only, this should be clearly indicated. The drawings should give an accurate account of the proposals and indicate whether they are enlarged from an OS map or drawn from survey.

Where existing buildings are to be altered or extended the new work must be clearly shown and the demolitions indicated. The use of colour is to be encouraged in distinguishing new work from existing. However, it would help if new work was shown on a separate plan.

Outline planning applications are not generally appropriate for new building work in Conservation Areas or to Listed Buildings.

Guidance for alterations to Listed Buildings is available on request from the Council.

Presentation is of importance and the use of colour generally to clarify drawings is suggested, in particular for larger or complex schemes. You are encouraged to submit a supporting presentation where this should be appropriate to explain any design philosophy behind your proposals.

Specialist Matters

Where necessary to show joinery detail etc (especially in the case of Listed Buildings), plans should be to a scale of 1:5, 1:10 or 1:20.

Where known interests of acknowledged archaeological importance are involved, full details of below ground work (including services, foundations and their method of excavation) should be shown.

Location Plans

A location plan must be provided for all applications. It should normally be based on an Ordnance Survey 1:1250 scale map, or, if necessary, 1:2500 scale within the rural areas. The site must be outlined in red and any land in the same ownership in outlined blue. It would be helpful if any Public Rights of Way could be shown coloured brown. (Ordnace Survey extracts can be purchased by clicking on the link on the following web page http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/200350/927/ .)

Site Plan

The following information should be included:-

North point.

The boundaries of the site should be edged in red. Dimensioned and described e.g. 1800 mm brick wall. 1500 mm chain link fence.

The scale must be suitable to show all the required detail of the scheme. This will usually be 1:500 or 1:100 within the range of 1:500 to 1:100.

All existing buildings, trees, paths and all other features within the site are to be described whether retained or removed.

All boundaries of the site must be dimensioned to existing or new buildings within the site or to those immediately adjoining.

Where the proposed development is complex, or likely to affect an adjoining property, the position of buildings, trees and other features external to your site should be dimensioned.

Survey information should show important landscape features, spot heights and where appropriate contours. Present and proposed levels must be indicated if changes are to be made.

Where existing site conditions are significantly revised then these should be shown on a separate drawing.

If any tree within the site or overhanging from a neighbouring property is affected in any way, then a tree survey must be provided indicating the position, crown spread and species. Refuse storage and collection points, access roads, existing vehicular access, vehicle turning areas, parking spaces and full visibility splays (which may have an effect on adjoining land or properties.

Floor Plans

Floor plans should be to a scale of 1:50 or 1:100. Each floor plan should establish the layout of any new or revised areas and show the relevant uses, eg. bedroom, kitchen, lift.

The floor plan to show new revisions to an existing roof or to illustrate a complex roof will be required.

In buildings to which the public have access, including al shops and other work places, facilities for the disabled should be shown and described in the drawing.

Elevation/Section

Elevations should be to scale of 1:50 or 1:100 and include details of the type and colour of external materials.

Drawings showing elevations in the context of the street scene may be required to show the integration of the proposed design. This may also be achieved by three dimensional drawings. These will be especially relevant in the Conservation Areas and near Listed Buildings.

Sections through your site and adjoining areas with relevant elevations will be necessary in some circumstances. This may be where a proposal is close of the boundaries of the site or there is a significant slope.

APPLICATION FORMS

Your completed application will comprise:-

• The original application form plus three copies. Please sign all the copies.
• Four copies of all plans submitted for consideration. (Please see the notes on Plans and Drawings above).
• If you wish to bring other matters in support of your proposal to the attention of the Council, an accompanying letter or statement.
• The appropriate fee.
• If you do not own all of the site, completed Certificate B, C or D indicating that you have complied with legal requirements.

General Points:

PLANNING APPLICATION FORMS ARE PUBLIC DOCUMENTS AND ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THEM WILL BE PLACED ON DEPOSIT FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION BOTH IN THE COUNCILS OFFICES AND ON A WEB SITE.

Neighbours

The Council will consult your neighbours in most circumstances. It is, therefore, advisable that you should discuss your proposals with your neighbours prior to submitting the application. Such discussion can often avoid disagreement and delay at a later stage.

Parking and Access

It is important to show clearly on your plans, the arrangements (as existing and/or proposed) for vehicular access and also the area set aside for parking/garaging of vehicles. In the case of commercial development, it is essential to show arrangements for servicing of the building. All Councils have copies of the current parking, access and turning area standards operating within the County and if you are in any doubt, please ask for a copy. An application with this information clearly shown will avoid subsequent correspondence and delay.

Access for Disabled Persons

Should your application include new buildings or premises to be used as an office, shop factory, school or other education establishment or any premises to which the public are to be admitted, you will be required to make provision for access, parking and sanitary conveniences for disabled people, where reasonable and practicable. Any works necessary to meet these requirements should be included in the submitted details. For further information on this matter, you should contact the Council’s Building Control Section.