The Chief Planning Officer presented the report which proposed to increase charges for pre-application advice from 1 January 2018 as detailed in Appendix A to the report.

Members considered whether the increase in fees would lead to a fall in the use of the Pre-Application Advice service.  The Chief Planning Officer confirmed that this would be monitored.  Members discussed the impact of permitted development upon the need for pre-application advice and the need for such advice to be recorded well.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning advised that the Advisory Committee had considered and agreed to recommend the report to Cabinet.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That the proposed changes to the pre-application charges as set out in Appendix A to the report be agreed for implementation from 1 January 2018.