I have an FOI request concerned with protecting old buildings, which are intended for development. Some councils require a document whose title is along the lines of Heritage Design Access & Justification Statement” to support an application to develop an existing property.

1. Does your Local Authority require such submissions to accompany planning applications?

If so,
2. What class of applications fall within this requirement?
3. Which team in the LA requires the submission to be made, (in the circumstances defined in the reply to Q1,above)?
4. What steps, if any, are taken to verify the information contained in applicants’ completed submissions?
5. What penalties, if any, are levied in the event that false or misleading information is submitted?

If no to Q1
6. Does your LA have any plans to introduce a system to ensure planning applicants strive to protect heritage?