(Please note that as from 1 January 2010 the Planning Committee assumed the functions of the Area Planning Sub-Committees.  Consequently, the final meetings of the Area Planning Sub-Committees were held in December 2009.)

The Central Area Planning Sub-Committee considers planning applications submitted in the following Wards:

In order to fulfil the requirements of paragraph 16A of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 so that Area Planning Sub-Committees are not subject to political proportionality every Councillor is a member of his/her respective Area Planning Sub-Committee.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee have the right to attend and speak, but not to vote, at any meeting of an Area Planning Sub-Committee.

The Area Planning Sub-Committees will be responsible for all functions relating to town and country planning and development control as set out in Schedule 1 to the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000 except those matters which are specifically reserved to the Planning Committee: -

-          Exercise the enforcement and development control powers of the Council in respect of individual applications and in relation to historic buildings, conservation and archaeology matters.

-          Determine applications involving the exercise of the development control and enforcement process of the Council as mineral planning authority including appeals arising therefrom.

-          Determine applications involving the exercise of the development control and enforcement powers of the Council in respect of any applications requiring a statutory environmental assessment, including appeals arising therefrom.

-          Determine applications involving the exercise of the development control and enforcement powers of the Council in respect of waste disposal and hazardous substances consent.

-          Determine applications for planning permission in relation to decisions in respect of any application relating to the Council’s own development or to the development of land owned by the Council.

-          Determine applications from officers holding politically restricted posts.

-          Consider Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) matters where: -

o        The Council proposes to undertake works on a TPO tree and representations have been received.

o        There is an application for consent to undertake work to trees covered by a TPO where there is a reasonable concern that compensation may legitimately be claimed.

-          To undertake all miscellaneous functions from Schedule 1 to the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000.