Pre-Application Meetings: Are They Worth It?
In Victorian Town Planning, pre-application meetings are often seen as a crucial step in the planning process. These meetings, held with Statutory Planners, aim to provide early feedback on proposed developments, identify potential issues, and guide applicants through the planning maze.
However, our extensive experience suggests that these meetings may not always be as beneficial as they seem. In fact, they can sometimes lead to contradictions and misalignments with the actual assessment process. This blog explores the pros and cons of pre-application meetings and argues for a more direct approach to planning assessments.
The Pros of Pre-Application Meetings
Early Feedback and Guidance: Pre-application meetings offer an opportunity to receive early feedback from planning officers. This can help identify potential issues and provide guidance on how to address them before submitting a formal application.
Time and Cost Savings: By identifying and addressing issues early, pre-application meetings can save considerable time and money. They can help avoid costly redesigns and delays later in the process.
Improved Application Quality: These meetings can improve the quality of the information provided with the planning application, reducing the likelihood of requests for further information and subsequent delays.
Increased Certainty: Pre-application meetings can provide a degree of certainty about the outcome of an application, helping applicants understand what elements of their proposal are likely to be acceptable or unacceptable.
Relationship Building: Engaging with planning officers early can help build a positive relationship with the planning department, potentially leading to more supportive and constructive interactions throughout the application process. Responding to the feedback provided puts you in a good position when your Permit has been lodged with Council if they can see the connection between the advice they provided and the changes you made to respond or additional justification provided in the application.
The Cons of Pre-Application Meetings
Contradictory Advice: One of the most significant drawbacks of pre-application meetings is the potential for contradictory advice. The feedback received during these meetings is not binding, and the assessing planner may have a different view when the formal application is submitted (a very frustrating experience).
Delays and Additional Costs: Pre-application meetings can delay the submission of the full planning application and potentially the start of the work. Additionally, there is often a fee for these services, which can add to the overall cost of the project. Lengthy delays in organising the meeting, due to council resourcing, can also be an issue.
Procedural Focus: Our experience indicates that the interest of councils in pre-application meetings is often procedural rather than substantive. This procedural focus can lead to a lack of meaningful engagement with the specifics of the proposal, resulting in advice that is not reflective of the actual application process. If you are undertaking a pre-application approach, ensure you have as much detail and information as possible and a list of key questions, as incomplete information may lead to minimal guidance on those elements.
No Guarantees: There is no guarantee that the discussions and advice provided during pre-application meetings will lead to a successful planning application. The final decision may still be subject to change based on further assessments and consultations.
Potential for Negative Attitudes: If the pre-application advice is not followed, it can create a negative attitude towards the project from the planning officers. This can be particularly problematic if the applicant is committed to a particular design and is not willing to make significant changes.
How Urbankind Supports You
Given the potential pitfalls of pre-application meetings, we often advocate for a more direct approach to planning assessments. Our method involves extensive research and review of local and state policies, as well as similar proposals, to inform the requirements of the planning application. By preparing and submitting a well-researched and comprehensive application from the outset, we can avoid the procedural pitfalls and contradictions often encountered in pre-application meetings. We have established relationships with Council planners and can often give them a quick call for some informal advice that will shape your Permit strategy and streamline the approval process for you.
While pre-application meetings can offer some benefits, our experience suggests that they are often not worth the time, cost, and potential for contradictory advice for some projects. By focusing on thorough research and preparation, we can streamline the planning process and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. We encourage applicants to consider this approach and to engage with planning assessments directly, ensuring that their proposals are well-informed and robust from the start.
Our strategic approach focusses on securing the best outcomes for your project, there are some situations and Council’s where pre application meetings are valuable and recommended. Get in touch at hello@urbankind.studio so we can review your situation and prepare a Permit strategy that sets your projects up for success.
