How are Development Applications assessed?
What happens to your development application once it has been lodged to Council?
Once Steffan Harries has lodged your development application, it can sometimes feel like it has been put into a lost void of administration but it does start a chain reaction of reviews and development assessment stages which we go into further below.
How do development applications be assessed?
The assessment process for development applications generally starts once an application is submitted. The application is reviewed to ensure it meets the necessary requirements and includes all the required documents, such as reports and plans. After this initial check, a fee quote will be provided for payment. The application is then recorded in the council’s systems and made accessible to the staff responsible for assessing development applications within the relevant department.
The assessment process for development applications typically involves following a series of predefined stages.
- Stage 1: Application Review A team of experts assesses the application at a broad level and assigns it to an assessment manager.
- Stage 2: Referrals The applicant shares the application with relevant external agencies to obtain advice, approvals, or permits.
- Stage 3: Information Request The council may request additional information from the applicant to support the assessment process, if needed.
- Stage 4: Public Notification In certain cases, the applicant or their representative conducts public notification for the development application.
- Stage 5: Decision and Conditions The council thoroughly evaluates all information and makes a decision to approve or reject the application, along with any necessary conditions.
- Stage 6: Appeals Following the council’s decision, applicants or community members have the option to lodge an appeal as per the guidelines outlined in the Planning Act 2016.