Help with highway consultant report request

[bahak]

Hello. This is a first time poster, so any help would be much appreciated.
We have corner plot, which we are seeking planning on, and we require a Highway report.
Our local planning department isn't the most helpful, and as of last year they removed the free resubmission option. So now your application is either accepted or not. Their fees have also doubled.

My problem is with them requesting a highway report.
Can anyone advise on whether this can be done diy or has to be a registered consultancy firm. The area is in a town center residential area, Bury.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[rdjohn]

It depends, if its a corner plot to your home where you want an extension then the impacts are minimal. If its a corner plot for 50 apartments, then it could get quite complicated.

Some guidance for what they are looking for

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-plans-transport...

[bahak]

Hello again. It's a corner plot on the end of a row of terraced houses. The plot had 2 houses previously, but were demolished. We hoping to get planning for two terrace houses. Hope that help.
I want to know if anyone has used services on websites like fiverr, and if that is accepted by councils here.
Thanks in advance

[rdjohn]

Yours is simple, you could probably write it yourself, if you followed the guidelines. The number are small/insignificant.

Sadly, all the people I know are now retired, like myself. I have just had a check, but can see no one man enterprises that could help you in the Greater Manchester Area.

Perhaps someone active will contact you.

[bahak]

Thank you. I'll keep a look out.

[rdjohn]

This documents shows the parameters on which your application might be judged.

https://www.bury.gov.uk/asset-library/unitary-deve...

They will be looking for mitigation for any traffic impacts.
How many extra trips by car?
What is the current level of car ownership in the locality?
Where will the extra vehicles park?
Can trips be offset by sustainable means, walking, cycling, public transport etc?
Vehicle crossings.
Just filling the space with two extra houses might not be compatible with their objectives, perhaps that is why they are asking for an impact statement. You need to demonstrate sustainability of your project.

[bahak]

That's a great help. Thank you.
Do you know of people who have successfully submitted their own, our council insist on it being someone qualified.

[blueg33]

Get a highways consultant in. Objectors will tear apart one done by the applicant.

[bahak]

Thanks for your advice, it's much appreciated.

[mikebradford]

Try
doyletransportplanning.co.uk
He's been very helpful on a number of our sites.

[Equus]

blueg33 said:

Get a highways consultant in. Objectors will tear apart one done by the applicant.

This.

Even I would never try to write my own, and I consider myself moderately clued-up on Planning matters.

But a 'highways report' could mean one of two things: it could mean the broader transport planning stuff listed by rdjohn, or it could be more focused on the immediate safety of the design of the site access (ie. proximity of the access to the junction, visibility splays vs. local traffic speeds... covered by the 'vehicle crossings' item on rdjohn's list). Or it could mean both, of course.

You need to select and brief your consultant accordingly (most will be able to deal with both, but don't rely on it, and some will be more focussed on one aspect than the other).


For two dwellings, it's almost inconceivable that the broader transport planning stuff will prove critical: you (or your Highways Consultant) should be gently pointing out to them that the NPPF states:

paragraph 115 said:

...development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe.

(my emphasis)

'Highways safety' on a 2-plot development is almost certainly going to be focused on the design safety of the access. The likelihood of the cumulative impacts of traffic volumes on the local road network (ie., the traffic impacts and trip generation sort of stuff) being 'severe' from a 2 plot development is usually slim.

Another possible name for you: LINK

Edited by Equus on Tuesday 23 April 08:17

[blueg33]

I was about to recommend Apex. Equus beat me to it.

[GreatGranny]

If it has had 2 houses on there previously, that will, presumably, be helpful to the application(?)

[andya7]

GreatGranny said:

If it has had 2 houses on there previously, that will, presumably, be helpful to the application(?)

Not necessarily, 2 original dwellings might not have had any parking, not uncommon on terraces fronting roads.

Whereas a new 2/3 bed might require 2 spaces, depending on local planning policy. Although if it is in a 'sustainable transport location', it might not require any... which is where the transport assessment/report comes in.

[Equus]

andya7 said:

GreatGranny said:

If it has had 2 houses on there previously, that will, presumably, be helpful to the application(?)

Not necessarily, 2 original dwellings might not have had any parking, not uncommon on terraces fronting roads.

Whereas a new 2/3 bed might require 2 spaces, depending on local planning policy. Although if it is in a 'sustainable transport location', it might not require any... which is where the transport assessment/report comes in.

^^^ There's also the point that Planning law includes the concept of 'abandonment', whereby if the previous houses have been demolished, the residential use of the land has been extinguished, so you're back to a clean sheet of paper in terms of the requirements for any future development.

[rdjohn]

bahak said:

Hello. This is a first time poster, so any help would be much appreciated.
We have corner plot, which we are seeking planning on, and we require a Highway report.
Our local planning department isn't the most helpful, and as of last year they removed the free resubmission option. So now your application is either accepted or not. Their fees have also doubled.

My problem is with them requesting a highway report.
Can anyone advise on whether this can be done diy or has to be a registered consultancy firm. The area is in a town center residential area, Bury.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Hi, I cant PM you,

I may have a solution for you so please PM me with a site plan and either a .dwg, .pdf, or .jpg of the plan you have submitted together with any comments from Bury MBC with regards to highway issues.