Major applications

Major development is defined as development involving any one or more of the following:

• The provision of residential dwellings where the number of dwellings is 10 or more, or residential development on a site 0.5 hectares or more in area (where the number of dwellings in unknown).

• The provision of a building or buildings where the gross floor space to be created in 1000 square metres or more.

• Development carried out on a site 1 hectare or more in area.

• The winning and working of minerals or the use of land for mineral-working deposits.

• Waste development.

Major applications often involve a number of complex and contentious issues and tend to take longer to be determined by the Council (the target time for the determination of major applications is 13 weeks instead of the 8 week target date for other applications). Developers are therefore advised to contact the Town Planning Division in order to arrange pre-application discussions with Senior Officers.