We have set up a fast-track planning advice service for businesses. If you are planning to make changes due to COVID-19 that may require planning permission (e.g. changes to the use of your outdoor space or provision of temporary structures), we would ask that you please contact us by email planning@wealden.gov.uk to let us know. We will review your proposals, and will confirm whether they are acceptable in principle.

There is no charge for this service and we will aim to respond to all such requests within 10 working days.

We would be grateful if you could supply the following information:

• business name, contact details of a named individual
• a site location plan
• a block (location plan including the location of any proposed temporary structure, or any outside area that you are planning to use differently
• a description of any proposed structure, or a description of the changes you are proposing (e.g. increased use of outside space / changes to hours of working/construction, placing of a portacabin on land)
• a description of how you plan to make any proposed structure safe e.g. wind loading, flame retardancy, anchorage / stability etc
• details of when any changes started, or when you plan them to start (e.g. when any structure was erected or when do you plan to erect it)
• photos of the site including any area where a temporary structure will be located;
• a brief overview of what any structure or outside area will be used for (including the hours it will be used for);
  and
• importantly please explain why the change to operations is required (related to COVID-19).

Once we have received your information, a planning officer will assess your proposals. We will consider whether planning permission would technically be required, and, if so, whether there are likely to be any significant impacts on:

• amenity / noise (e.g. potential impacts on neighbours if an outside venue is used for late-night drinking)
• highway safety issues (e.g. blocking parking spaces or roads) This will also include accessibility issues in the highway
•  hindrance to service routes for other commercial premises (e.g. preventing deliveries)

As part of our assessment, we will take account of any relevant existing or historic planning permissions or enforcement cases affecting the site.

We will approach the assessment of all proposals in a positive and proactive way, although a positive outcome is not necessarily guaranteed.

As part of this assessment, we may identify limits to any changes you are proposing, such as limiting the times of operation to reduce noise to neighbours. We will always seek to work pragmatically with you to overcome any issues. We will write to you to confirm the outcome of our assessment.

Where proposals have been agreed, it is unlikely that the council will take planning enforcement action against temporary development or changes of use, even where these would technically require planning permission. This pragmatic approach to planning enforcement will apply for six months, and will be reviewed at end of September 2021.

We do however reserve the right to take enforcement action if significant new information comes to light which indicates that the temporary changes are leading to significant adverse impacts.

Please note that this free service only applies to temporary changes needed to help businesses get up and running during the current COVID-19 recovery period. Our standard charges for pre-application advice will apply for any other planning advice enquiries, such as those involving permanent alterations or new buildings, and home extensions.

At the end of the temporary period, those businesses seeking advice as part of retaining structures or uses on a permanent basis, would not be charged a pre-application fee.

To access our free fast-track planning advice service please submit the information listed above by email to planning@wealden.gov.uk with ‘request for free COVID-19 advice’ in the subject line.