Madam,

On 3 November 2015, I instructed an architect to proceed with an outline planning application for a small proposed development to Ceredigion planning department.

The architect informed me that the planning department prefer that submission of an “Information Request Form” is submitted prior to any planning application. This process was duly undertaken. However, in the absence of any form of response from the planning department, we con-tacted a local councillor who subsequently contacted the planning department on 10 February and, just like magic, a letter was sent out to us on 11 February.

This letter just informs my architect and myself of historical data. There were also some imprecise, if not contradictory and convoluting, notes.

There is no legal or other requirement to procede a planning application with an ‘Information Request Form’ at this present time. Presenting this form is a courtesy and with my other pending proposals has cost in planning and architect fees £688. The Information Request Form appears to have been introduced to allow planners more time to consider applications and clearly without time restrictions as is required with formal planning applications.

The Welsh Government has produced a document which appears to come into effect on 16 March which will require development proposals of 10 dwellings, developments of 1000 square metres and five hectares and more to be accompanied with by Information Request form. Also the applicant will be directly responsible for obtaining, at their cost, reports from other agencies, Natural Resources Wales and Highways etc. For this document, these ‘agencies’ will have to produce their reports within 21 days. Smaller developments than the ones mentioned above would seemingly not be required to incur the costs of submitting what I have found to be a worthless, time-consuming piece of unofficial nonsense.My second Information Request Form was presented on 21 January (33 days ago) and there is still no response from the planning department. My advice: don’t waste your time and money on the Informa-tion Request Forms if you are not legally required to do so and if you have larger projects in mind get the planning applications in before 16 March.

Yours etc

Philip Turner-Wright

Dôl y Bont

Borth.