#planning architecture

[keerthigan-architecture]

Current plan development, marking out market spaces and improvements.

[prismpub]

JCJ Architecture announces completion of design services for Resorts World Catskills

With newly opened upper level suites, JCJ wraps up original scope of services for this new 1.5 million-square-foot hospitality and gaming property in upstate New York

JCJ Architecture yesterday announced completion of the firm’s planning, architecture and interior design services for Resorts World Catskills (RWC) in Monticello, New York. Set on an 1,800-acre site in the heart of New…

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[makinarchitecture-blog]

Planning Woes

Validation

Some planning departments refuse to validate an application until they are happy with the scheme - We always thought that the planning process decided whether the scheme was acceptable, not the planning officers before validation.

Communication

Some Planning departments don't give out direct email addresses or telephone numbers for planning officers - Apparently it's not their policy to have any direct communication with the agents.

Absence

Often planning officers go on leave unannounced and there is typically no-one else in the department who can deal with the scheme whilst they are away - If we ran our workflow like this we would have no clients.

Pointless Duplication of Information

As part of the validation process, Planning Departments sometimes ask for material samples, various reports and the like. If asked for as part of the validation process then you would expect that they would be included as part of any approval. Not so. Inevitably the approval includes conditions to resubmit the exactly the same report and materials for consideration post planning. Discharge of conditions can take up to another 8 weeks and attract a further fee. More time and cost for no benefit to anyone. 

Related to this topic we are often asked to submit a report which is merely a copy of the information contained on the drawings or in the overly detailed application form. #waste of time.

The Folly of Pre-application advice

As agents we are encouraged to make a pre-application submission to the Council. More often than not these days, this attracts a fee. The turn-around for the response can be up to 8 weeks! Sometimes we have not even had a response.

The supposed point of a pre-application consultation is gleen an opinion on a proposed scheme at an early stage. The reality is that Councils are now asking for so much detailed information at this point that the scheme is finished before initial comments are offered. 

If it appears, any advice/report is always caveated by a statement to the effect that the Council is not bound by the advice given. All in all a pointless and expensive process. You may as well apply, save time and money and get a response, via a decision, which is binding to the Council.