Role of Town Councils in Planning

District Councils produce local plans which set out the district planning policy and proposals for the area. They identify where development can and cannot take place, the natural and the built environment and the management of traffic. The local plan covers a 10 year period but is kept under constant review. The District Council also prepares design briefs which are aimed at developers and give details of the type and density of building that is acceptable, the material to be used, green spaces and more. Although there are a number of exceptions, anyone wishing to develop must apply to South Kesteven District Council for planning permission. The application will be available to view on the SKDC website and the public will be able to comment on a particular application. The District Council planning officers will consider all comments received and reflect these in their final decision or if undecided, the application will go to the SKDC Planning Committee.

The Town Council as a Consultee

The Town Council is a statutory consultee on planning applications and is normally given 21 days to comment. Plans for consideration will be listed on the Council agenda and comments returned to the District within the deadline. When commenting on planning applications, it is important that the Town Council considers issues such as:

  • Consistency with the development plan for the areas
  • Traffic and highway safety issues
  • Overlooking, loss of privacy and loss of light
  • Scale of the development
  • Design, appearance, layout and material
  • Loss of important open space or physical features
  • Noise, disturbance or smells
  • Local knowledge of drainage or other possible problem

Issues that are not relevant include:

  • Effect on the value of property
  • Loss of view over other people’s land
  • Possible future development not included in the application
  • Private property rights such as boundary or access disputes
  • Matters covered by other laws
  • The morals or motives of the developer

Special rules apply for listed buildings, Conservation Areas and trees (some are protected by Tree Preservation Orders). Planning permission is needed for advertisements above a certain size. If development appears to have taken place without permission, or if the development is more
extensive than given in the planning consent, the District Council’s Enforcement Officer is asked to visit the site and take any necessary follow up action

Stamford Neighbourhood Plan

Stamford’s Neighbourhood Plan will enable the towns’ residents to shape the development of Stamford over the next two decades without loss of its special and distinctive character.

The plan seeks to ensure that Stamford’s defining assets, as an historic and vibrant rural market town and tourist destination, are retained and enhanced and that Stamford’s important heritage assets and precious green spaces are protected.

In order to harness the town’s growth potential, the plan will ensure appropriate improvements to infrastructure and services and enable all sections of the community to enjoy a sustainable way of life.

Under the Localism Act, Town and Parish Councils (rather than the Local Planning Authority) now have a discretionary power to prepare their own plan, which, if adopted, becomes part of the Statutory Development Plan.

The Stamford Neighbourhood Plan became a statutory planning document on 25 July 2022, carrying real weight which decision makers must take into account in local planning decisions and will help shape and influence South Kesteven District Council’s Local Plan.

Information about the Stamford Neighbourhood Plan is available below.

The Stamford Neighbourhood Plan Decision Notice

View the formal decision statement as required under Neighbourhood Planning Regulations.

View the adopted version of the Stamford Neighbourhood Plan

Article 4 Direction – This link provides information about the Article 4 Direction in the Stamford Conservation Area which came into force on 1st December 2018.

The Stamford North Joint Strategic Planning Board

In October 2023, South Kesteven District Council and Rutland County Council agreed a Stamford North Statement of Common Ground and established a joint board to oversee the future planning of potential development at Stamford North. Find out more here: Statement of Common Ground (SKDC)

Shopfront Design Guide 

Please find a technical note which provides updated guidance on shopfront design for South Kesteven.

Useful Downloads