Planning application process: statutory consultee arrangements

This consultation seeks views on measures aimed at ensuring more effective provision of advice to local planning authorities in relation to surface water drainage management.

Statutory consultees are those organisations and bodies, defined by statute, which local planning authorities are legally required to consult before reaching a decision on relevant planning applications.

Part A: proposal to introduce the Lead Local Flood Authority as a statutory consultee on major planning applications with surface water drainage implications to ensure technical advice is available to local planning authorities.

Part B: proposal to change the thresholds for the Environment Agency’s statutory consultee involvement in a planning application to achieve a more proportionate approach in light of changing responsibilities.

Part C: proposal to make water companies statutory consultees in respect to planning applications for shale oil and gas development.