Lawful development certificates
These are procedures through which the council can certify that existing or proposed uses of land and buildings are 'lawful'. Certification gives immunity to the particular use described in the Certificate from any suggestion that it requires planning permission. Ask us for further details and information.
Listed building consent
If your property is on the statutory list of Buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest you will need consent to demolish (all or part) and for internal or external alterations and extensions which in the council's view affect the character of the building.
Conservation area consent
Buildings in conservation areas, even if they are not listed, are subject to control. Conservation area consent may be needed for the demolition of buildings and structures (depending on their size) including walls and fences.
Hazardous substances consent
You are required to obtain consent for the storage of certain hazardous substances. This form is to be used when making a notification of Hazardous Substances and Controlled Quantities.
Advertisements
A separate form of planning control applies to advertisements. Consent is required to display all outdoor advertisements except in specified cases. Either 'express consent' can be granted by the council or 'deemed consent' is given in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations 1989. 'Deemed Consent' is limited to certain types and sizes of advertisements. We can supply an explanatory booklet entitled, 'Outdoor Advertisements and Signs - A Guide for Advertisers'.
Applications for advertisement consent must be submitted on the appropriate forms and accompanied by clear plans. The council has published an Advertisements Design Guide to help advertisers in preparing their proposals. The nature of material advertised is not a planning matter. Applications may only be refused on the grounds of safety and the effect on public amenity. There is a right of appeal against refusal of permission. Persons displaying advertisements without consent are committing a criminal offence and may be subject to prosecution and risk a heavy fine.
Mineral working and waste disposal
Wigan has experienced a lot of mineral working and tipping since the Industrial Revolution. Most of the tipping has been colliery waste disposal although other minerals such as clay, sand and sandstone were also mined and other types of waste were tipped. Although all the deep coal mines have now closed, there is a significant interest in the working of peat, sand and sandstone. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable sites for the large amount of waste material produced by householders, commerce and industry. Therefore, there is a need to try to find a balance between the needs for mineral working and waste disposal and the need to conserve the best of the environment and to protect, as far as is possible, the interest of people living in the borough. When considering applications for mineral working the council takes into account the policies in the The Replacement Wigan Unitary Development Plan. This plan also contains policies on waste disposal which guide the way in which tipping schemes are designed and determined.
