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What is Planning?

The primary purpose of planning is to encourage the most appropriate use of buildings and land. It is concerned with improving the quality and the appearance of the environment - protecting the best, improving the worst and planning for a sustainable future. It means looking after our heritage of buildings and landscape and endeavouring to ensure that new developments such as roads, housing or shops will improve the places where we live, work and play.

Planning is concerned with land-use change and development. Revisions to the details of legislative procedures, e.g. those concerning planning applications, are fairly frequent while changing social and economic trends will necessitate re-examination of development plans and other planning policies. It is vital to get up-to-date advice on any planning matter with which you may be concerned.

Who does what?

Since 1 April 1997, Bournemouth's planning functions have been consolidated. Dorset County Council, and Poole and Bournemouth Borough Councils share responsibility for preparing the overall planning policies for the county. In addition, the Council produces it's own local planning policies and deals with planning applications.

Who are the Planners?

Planning is a multi-disciplinary activity involving a wide range of expertise. Within the planning service there are architects, building surveyors, landscape architects as well as those qualified in Town Planning. This diversity of specialist knowledge helps to ensure that planning decisions are made on the best possible guidance and advice.

Bournemouth Borough Council's Planning Section is part of the Planning and Transport business unit. The Division is divided into the following sections:

• Building Control
• Economic Development
• Planning Control
• Planning Policy
• Conservation & Design
• Research and Information
• Urban Renewal & Design
• Trees & Landscaping
• Transport

Officers in Planning and Transport are pleased to give information or to answer queries on any planning matter. You may visit our offices in the Town Hall Annexe during office hours (8.30 - 5.15 Mon-Thurs and 8.30 - 4.45 Fri), or you can contact us by telephone on 01202 451323. If you wish to see a particular officer it is advisable to telephone in advance for an appointment.