The Planning System

The planning system is concerned with building operations and how land is used. It plays an important role by helping to protect our environment and enable good development.

Development Management is the most well know part of the planning system and mainly involves dealing with planning applications. Most new buildings or major changes to existing buildings or to the local environment need planning consent (planning permission). Without a planning system everyone could construct buildings or use land in any way they wanted, no matter what effect this would have on other people who live and work in their area.

Torfaen County Borough Council as Local Planning Authority is responsible for deciding whether a development - anything from an extension on a house to a new shopping centre - should go ahead.

Local development plans must be prepared by each local planning authority. The Torfaen Local Development Plan was adopted in December 2013 and forms the basis of decision making for planning applications.

There are opportunities to have your say about the Local Development Plan and planning applications. The Local Development Plan can be found here.