Planning applications - consulting the highway authority
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When a planning application that affects the highway is received, the highways development control team is consulted. The role of this team is to check that the application complies with national and local standards to ensure that there is no increase in the risk of accidents on the highway.
If an application is likely to result in additional danger on the public highway, the team would recommend that the application be refused. Applicants can consult with highways development control team before they submit an application. This is called a pre-inquiry.
Why would you want to make a pre-inquiry?
You can get free advice and consultation from the highways development control team to ensure that your application does not pose a danger to the public on the highway and is acceptable to the Highways Authority.
What does the pre-inquiry normally involve?
Two typical checks carried out on a proposal to build a new vehicular access are:
1. Vehicle safety
When leaving an access in a vehicle, it is important that the driver can see approaching vehicles on the road before deciding whether it is safe to pull out into the road. The view of approaching vehicles is called the visibility splay. What visibility splays needs to be provided is set out in national guidance.
For example, if the minor road distance for a simple access is two metres. The major road distance depends on the speeds of vehicles on the road. If the access is located on a road that has a speed limit of 30 mph the major road distance should be 90 metres. Within the visibility splay there should be nothing that obstructs the view i.e. any wall should have a maximum height of 90 cm.
2. Pedestrian safety
It is important that when a vehicle is leaving the drive and is about to cross the footway that they can see and be seen by pedestrians.
Checks are also made to the parking bay, to make sure it is big enough and that the vehicle can be turned round within the site.
How do you request a pre-inquiry?
You should send a location plan of the site, and a sketch or description of what you propose to the Highways development control team, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6ND
