Validation of Planning Applications

Local Validation Checklists

Thank you for your email of 19 February consulting The Theatres Trust on the local checklists for validation of planning applications.

The Theatres Trust is The National Advisory Public Body for Theatres. The Town & Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, Article 10, Para (v) requires the Trust to be consulted on planning applications which include 'development involving any land on which there is a theatre.' It was established by The Theatres Trust Act 1976 'to promote the better protection of theatres'. This applies to all theatre buildings, old and new, in current use, in other uses, or disused. It also includes buildings or structures that have been converted to theatre, circus buildings and performing art centres. Our main objective is to safeguard theatre use, or the potential for such use, but we also provide expert advice on design, conservation, property and planning matters to theatre operators, local authorities and official bodies.

Our only comment is that as part of an Application for Planning Permission we would expect to see justification for change of use within the Planning Statement, e.g. from sui generis (theatre) to D2 (Assembly and Leisure) or from a place of worship (D1 church) to a theatre (sui generis). While the proposals may not require any physical change to the building they would almost certainly have an affect on the environment.

We look forward to being consulted on the Submission Core Strategy, Development Control Policies, Planning Obligations and any town centre Area Action Plans.