Town planning is not an easy task to deal with. You need a team of experts to make things right, so, that each construction project whether a commercial or residential one, is in accordance with the local construction guidelines. Whether you are building a custom home, or just making some changes in your parking lot, everything should be as per the town planning guidelines.

What is town planning?

The local council of town planning examines what you intend to accomplish and determines if it is the appropriate use or development for the region. Before obtaining a construction permit, the town planning commission must approve the project. It’s also worth noting that town planning clearance isn’t always required for small changes, but in most cases, it is required. To simplify the process, you can take the assistance of town planning consultants to make things according to town planning guidelines.

Town Planning includes:

  • A process of evaluation and development of a piece of land to hold a particular property.
  • Involves determining the suitability of the land for the type of property being built in terms of size and stability.
  • Planners must consider the environmental effects, how it affects public transport, travel, water distribution, power distribution, accessibility to public places, the natural flow of sunlight, vegetation and so on.
  • It also takes into consideration future developments in the area and how the building will help or hinder the process.

When is Town Planning Needed?

A site’s planning determines whether or not planning permission is necessary. Zones and overlays may need a planning permit, while other stipulations, such as car parking, may necessitate town planning approval. To decide if you will require planning permission, you must examine all of the particular planning regulations for your site, as well as any additional terms that may trigger a planning permit. You can call the council, hire a professional planning expert, or get a planning property report from the state government’s land mapping website to learn about the planning rules for a given site.

Now, let’s try to understand the process involved in town planning.

Process of Town Planning:

  • Engage Land Surveyor

Both reestablishment and features and level surveys will require the services of a land surveyor. The surveyor draws out the current boundaries, land dimensions, and various contours and elevations of the land in these surveys. The act of restoring a previously surveyed boundary in the same place as when it was constructed, taking into consideration man-made elements like survey markers, fences, and building corners, is known as a title re-establishment survey. Your appointed draftsman meets with the surveyor to guide them on what kind of site-specific detail they may require on the surveys. You need to streamline the process of land surveying for a smooth construction project.

  • Engage your Architect

It’s critical that you work alongside your land surveyor on this. When the surveying is finished and the surveyor delivers the required files, you must forward them to your architect. The information from the surveys will then be used by your architect to start planning your project. Once everything is in place, your architect can work on the design dynamics of your construction project

  • Engage a Planner

To collaborate with your architect, you’ll need to hire a planner. It is your planner’s responsibility to give extensive input and discussion on council expectations that are specific to the municipality. Some architects can conduct both the drawing and the planning for you. If you choose this route, be sure your architect has the necessary expertise, experience, and board membership in your municipality. The preliminary designs for your development are then completed by your architect.

  • Town Planning Report

Your town planner will finish and finalise your town planning report before submitting it to the council. You’ve to go back and forth with your architect and town planner and make sure that everyone is in the same place and pleased with the suggested designs. In your town planning report, you explain why you planned the way you did in accordance with the res code.

  • Application Submission

It is the responsibility of your town planner to submit your application to the city council on your behalf. Your preliminary designs and municipal planning report will be included in the application. Then it’s just a matter of waiting. You wait for the council to respond with a request for further information, often known as an RFI.

  • RFI Response

When the council sends you a request for further information, you’ll need to work with your town planner and architect to respond as promptly as possible. The sooner you can respond to the questions and return your response to the council, the better. Work with your town planner and architect to rapidly respond to the RFI questions and then present them to the council.

  • Advertising

If you have properly resolved all of the objections and concerns expressed by the council as part of the RFI, the property will be advertised. In Victoria, advertising lasts 14 days and comprises erecting a board with the planned planning application attached in front of the development site. This allows members of the public to voice any complaints or reservations they may have about the planned project.

Now, you are well aware of, what town planning is and which processes are included in it. To simplify the process, hire the services of building consultants to guide you through the entire process.