CEREDIGION planners could be forced to reject planning applications that they need more information about, rather than run the risk of having to pay refunds for failing to decide schemes within a new Welsh Government timeframe, it has been warned.

Under new regulations from the Welsh Government, the council must decide on applications within eight weeks for standard applications or 16 weeks for applications that need Environmental Impact Assessments or refund the planning fee paid by the applicant.

But Alun Davies, the council’s development manager, has warned that will mean the council could have to approve developments by compromising on the quality of schemes rather than enter into negotiations with developers, or just reject applications immediately if there is not enough information provided with the application, rather than risk losing out on planning fees.

He said that applications can often run past the statutory timeframe for a decision to be made, and that, unless the applicant is prepared to agree to exceed that timeframe, the council would have to make difficult decisions.

Mr Davies said: “In light of this new threat to resources, and again to put this into context for Ceredigion, based on an average fee income over the last three years of £482,923, and assuming 25 per cent of applications are not determined within set timeframes, this could result in the council refunding in excess of £120,000 per annum, therefore the council will need to take immediate steps to prevent circumstances where a refund is payable.”

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