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the role of planning authorities
14. Planning authorities already deal with planning applications for certain types of development associated with agriculture and forestry and some authorities have already prepared guidance on siting and design. The reduction in permitted development rights and the introduction of the notification system means that there will be more planning involvement in the siting and design of farm and forestry buildings. This strengthens the case for guidance both as a means of establishing a consistent approach in assessing applications and as a way of encouraging developers to consider carefully the impact of their proposals. Dissemination of appropriate advice and policy guidance should help to limit both the number of notification cases where the planning authority has to call for an application and the amount of detailed involvement with individual proposals. Any guidance should be applicable to both notified proposals and those which are subject to full planning control.
15. The notification system will work best where planning authorities:
include general policies for the siting and design of farm and forestry development in local plans and clearly indicate on the proposals map any special areas where more detailed consideration will be given to such development. Local Plans should clearly and concisely set out the criteria which the planning authority will take into account in determining planning applications and notified proposals. Detailed siting and design advice should however not be included in local plans.
prepare building design advice leaflets where there is a demand for new agricultural or forestry buildings. These advice leaflets should set out general principles for siting, design and use of materials, indicate any local characteristics and design traditions and specify other sources of advice and guidance. It would also be useful to give examples of modern buildings that successfully address these issues. Leaflets should be distributed to farmers and forestry owners in the area as well as to local architects, building consultants, manufacturers, builders and suppliers;
- organise exhibitions and meetings, where appropriate, to explain the notification system and the principles of siting and design;
- ensure that development control officers are aware of the needs and problems of farming and forestry and the availability and cost of buildings and materials; and
- encourage applicants to discuss proposals with them at an early stage in building design and to obtain professional advice where appropriate (see paragraph 20).
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