Presentation on ‘How to address the obstacles to getting Planning Permission for Places of Worship’

Post date: Feb 05, 2021 2:34:16 PM

Michael Moore, Principal Planning Officer at Milton Keynes  Council, presented to the January, 2021 meeting.

Michael covered the following points in his Presentation:

• 1. Planning Policy for Places of Worship

  2. The number of Planning Applications for Places of Worship

  3. Successful/Unsuccessful Applications

  4. Common Reasons why Applications are unsuccessful

  5. How to maximise the chances of success

  6. What might be helpful

Policy CC2 indicates where Planning Permission will be granted for community facilities.

Michael presented to the Council of Faiths two years ago on Plan:MK, and changed Policy ER7 following our input to allow development in industrial areas.

There are normally around 3,000 Planning Applications per year, but there have only been 31 applications for Places of Worship in the last ten years, with just over half being approved.

The common reasons why Planning Applications are unsuccessful are:

•      Principle of Development

•      Loss of Employment Land

•      Noise

•      Parking

•      Impact on residential amenity

Most Places of Worship are a conversion of an existing building.

How to maximise the chances of success:

• • Be clear about what you want to do but be flexible

  • Evaluate alternative buildings or sites for your Proposal

  • Consider seeking Pre-Application advice from MK Council before you submit a Planning Application

  • Anticipate what the main objections /concerns will be about your Proposal, and address them

  • Once you have a preferred site(s), engage with key stakeholders  about your Proposal

  • Listen to what their concerns are, and refine your Proposal

  • When you have a firm Proposal, organise a Public Consultation event and consult with the local community to obtain feedback on your Proposal

  • Refine your Proposal in the light of feedback received

  • Submit your Planning Application

Michael strongly recommended getting Pre-Application Advice from MK Council.

Places of Worship are now in Class F1 (formerly D1) – you don’t need Planning Permission to change to another Class F (e.g. changing a Library into a Place of Worship).

New Class E would allow Change of Use of offices and light industrial to Residential via a ‘light touch’ process. This could lead to competition between Applications (viz. Change of Use to Residential Use vs. Change of Use to Place of Worship).

COVID-19 has resulted in a number of businesses going bust and therefore more vacant properties.