Waived or reduced fees
- Where the application relates to development which, in the opinion of the planning authority, has the primary purpose of contributing to a not for profit enterprise or a social enterprise, and
- Where the application relates to development which, in the opinion of the planning authority, is likely to contribute to improving the health of residents in the area to which the application relates
Applications must meet both of the above criteria to be considered for an exemption.
Where applications meet these criteria, East Ayrshire Council will reduce the fee required by 50% for any application for Planning Permission, Planning Permission in Principle, Approval of Matters Specified in Conditions of Planning Permission in Principle, certificate of lawful use or development (proposed or existing), advertisement consents and determinations as to whether the prior approval of the planning authority is required (Prior Notification applications).
Prospective applicants should make clear in their application supporting information if they are seeking a reduction in the application fee under this Charter. Clear justification should be given for why the applicant believes that a reduction in the fee is applicable, having reference to the guidance below.
Not for profit enterprise or a social enterprise
The statutory definition of what constitutes a ‘not for profit’ enterprise is set out within the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) as follows:
- “not for profit enterprise” means an organisation which a person might reasonably consider to exist wholly or mainly to provide benefits for society.
- “social enterprise” means an organisation whose activities are wholly or mainly activities which a person might reasonably consider to be activities carried on for the benefit of society (“its social objects”), and which:
If prospective applicants are of the opinion that their organisation meets the above criteria to be considered a not for profit or social enterprise, they should provide a supporting statement outlining why. Any statement should clearly cover the criteria described above. Supporting evidence should also be supplied.
Improving the health of residents
There is no statutory definition of a proposal which is ‘improving the health of residents’. Prospective applicants should provide supporting information with any application detailing why they are of the opinion that their proposal will improve the health of residents in the local area.