ABSTRACT
Planning decisions are taken by elected representatives advised by their professional officers or by named officers who are authorised to act on behalf of the authority by way of delegated powers. In considering planning applications the elected body can take one of three actions: grant planning permission unconditionally, that is, subject only to a time limit for commencement; grant conditional permission; or refuse permission. A grant of planning permission normally ensures for the benefit of the land and those persons having an interest in the land under s 75(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) 1990. Therefore, a commodity that may be bought and sold. Until the introduction of a new s 70B into the TCPA 1990 local authorities could be faced with two identical detailed planning applications submitted at the same time by the same developer. This was known as 'twin tracking' the purpose of which was to establish a decision at the earliest possible date.
