Has anyone used the services of a town planning expert to help get through the planning stage at council? If so, why? And at what stage? and would you recommend it?
Thanks!!
Browse Forums General Discussion 1 May 03, 2010 9:59 am Has anyone used the services of a town planning expert to help get through the planning stage at council? If so, why? And at what stage? and would you recommend it? Thanks!! Building on an acre in Macedon ......one day. Re: Town Planning Expert 2May 03, 2010 12:12 pm I always thought town planners were concerned with big picture plans, i.e roads, parks, facilities etc. A good house designer, Architect or similar should be familiar with all the planning requirements for domestic construction, technically they should be the expert. The person designing your house should be prepared to sit down with the Planning office of you local council and sort out any issues that arise. I couldn't see the need to employ another person to help with planning issues unless it was a very complex job that had some very strict planning issues to overcome and would normally be the sort of job far in excess of the typical homeone poster. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Re: Town Planning Expert 3May 03, 2010 12:22 pm What about for subdivision issues Chippy? I spoke to a friend on the weekend who split his block in 2 - townhouse on the back, house on the front. Had 2 years of negotiating with council, trying to do what council wanted, only for council to say "no" to anything. They had a town planner come in and sorted the whole mess out with council in an hour, so avoided going to VCAT. Pretty nice outcome! Building on an acre in Macedon ......one day. Re: Town Planning Expert 4May 03, 2010 1:18 pm Although architects are familiar with all the planning requirements actually dealing with councils is a whole other issue. We used a town planning consultant to prepare the submission because a) the town planning consultant had previous experience with my council and b) my architect was more focused on the design aspects rather than the bureaucracy of dealing with council planners. He was involved in the process (beginning at the concept stage) with my architect to advise on the suitability of the design and provide an assessment on the likely planning complications. I live in the inner city where joint party walls, shadowing and protection of private space makes things complicated. He also dealt with the objections and objectors planning consultant (fun, fun, fun!) and pushed them through. Overall I found having a planning consultant was pretty good value for money. Renovation Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=38489 Re: Town Planning Expert 5May 03, 2010 6:49 pm Hmmm, thanks Biff. So sounds like you had them involved from the get-go? Me thinks I may be employing one .... Building on an acre in Macedon ......one day. Re: Town Planning Expert 6May 03, 2010 7:43 pm Yes I did. My architect is smart enough to know the time and resources dealing with councils consumes so we agreed having a planning consultant was the best and cheapest option.... Renovation Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=38489 Re: Town Planning Expert 7May 03, 2010 9:45 pm Hi Mummagoose, We are going through a town planning submission right now. We had to hire a town planning 'expert' who has been working with our architect/engineering consultant to get all our submission documents in order ready for submission (waiting on an answer right now). In our case, we had to get an expert in as council required so much detailed info that a standard application does not require. Ours is a subdivision in a heritage protected area with vegetation protection issues etc, so not a straightforward process. We are at the stage of getting the final plans approved so a lot has been done by the town planner just to get to this point. I would thoroughly recommend getting one if you want to eliminate all the 'to-ing and fro-ing'. Re: Town Planning Expert 8May 03, 2010 11:05 pm I think that things must differ from state to state. In WA it's licenced surveyors that handle the typical subdivision process and it doesn't go to council (although they get to comment) it goes through the West Australian Planning Commission. If they refuse your application then you can appeal and in this case you would probably be best to engage a professional planner to handle it. If you just have a straight forward subdivision then the surveyor handles all the paperwork and when all conditions have been met you use a conveyor to get actual titles. To get plans passed council in WA then there are statewide design codes that apply to all councils so any designer or architect that knows their stuff should be across them. It's pointless spending time designing something that even a planning expert cant get passed. When you employ an architect or designer you pay them to draw you plans that will pass council. They then have the responsibility to handle the application and deal with the council if it's required, why should you then need to pay someone else to make sure they are doing their job. That just sounds like a convenient cop out to me. If you've got a fairly straightforward subdivision and a standard type of house (in non-heritage area) then I really cant see the point in hiring yet another professional. It will just add to the cost of people who should already know. Accessible Carpentry & Cabinets accessiblecarpentry@gmail.com accessiblecarpentry.com.au https://www.facebook.com/pages/Accessible-Carpentry-Cabinets/583314911709039 Give Jonathan a call. Tell him you know me. He is in my opinion the best surveyor I have ever worked with. His number is 0425 285 622 All the best Simeon 3 12414 I am not based in Victoria however i had a quick look into your question to understand what you were asking. The way I read the regulations, overshadowing relates to the… 1 2233 "is it exempt or do I need to get permission from council" Call your Council and ask them 1 1568 |