A NEW and improved service for providing pre-application advice for prospective planning applications has been launched by Harrogate Borough Council.

A spokesman said the new service, which could be accessed at harrogate.gov.uk/preapplicationplanningadvice, offered constructive and unprejudiced advice on the likelihood of a proposal receiving planning permission.

“The advice aims to identify the main issues and set out how planning policies will apply to a proposal, highlight any planning constraints - such as a Conservation Area or Green Belt land and provide details of any relevant planning history of the site,” he said.

“It will also identify straightforward amendments which can be made to a proposal to improve its chances of getting planning permission, and detail any external organisations that may need to be consulted at the application stage.”

Council chief planner Gary Bell said the new pre-application service did have higher fees, but the increase was aimed at covering the cost of providing the service. “The householder charge of £70 is lower than the actual cost of officer time,” he said.” We believe it’s good value for money.”