Departure application criteria

If a local authority intends to approve a departure application, it must decide whether or not the application falls within the criteria outlined in the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation) (Departures) Directions 1999.

Annex 1, paragraph 3 lists the criteria

'(a) development which consists of or includes provision of

i) more than 150 houses or flats; or

ii) more than 5,000 square metres gross retail, leisure, office or mixed commercial floor space;

(b) development of land belonging to a planning authority by that authority or any other party; or for the development of any land by such an authority, whether alone or jointly with any other persons; or

(c) any other development which, by reason of its scale or nature or the location of the land, would significantly prejudice the implementation of the development plan's policies and proposals.'

If the application does, then the local authority must tell the secretary of state about it.