Development control – roads and transport
When a new development is planned, we make sure that any impact on the road network is taken into account.
We consider possible effects on road safety and congestion, and access to local facilities, such as shops and schools. We then decide whether improvements to the transport network are needed.
The planning applications we consider are:
- our own applications such as proposed waste and minerals sites and alterations to council buildings and schools
- applications from our district and borough councils, including residential and office developments and new access roads that lead to A, B or C classified roads.
Guidelines for Local Planning Authority applications
As the county highway authority, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) consult us on planning applications where there is a road or transport element. We advise LPAs on these applications, who then decide whether to grant or refuse planning permission.
In April 2006, we introduced new guidelines which set out which LPA applications we should be consulted on. These are:
- residential developments (on classified roads) where a new access road or significant increase in traffic is proposed
- residential developments (on unclassified roads) of more than five units
- industrial developments of more than 200 square metres
- food retail developments of more than 30 square metres
- other retail developments of more than 50 square metres
- other types of development involving more than 35 daily vehicle trips.
Road design and construction standards
Residential roads
The government guidance on planning and design of road layouts, Manual for Streets (MfS) was updated in 2007. This replaces Places, Streets and Movement which has now been withdrawn. The MfS guidance applies to existing and redesigned roads in built up areas.
For roads with higher speed limits and volume of traffic – usually trunk roads and motorways, guidance is available in Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
Other national guidance includes:
Our own design guide Manual for Estate Roads, was withdrawn in October 2006.
Industrial roads
Download our Design standards for industrial roads.
Drainage
We encourage the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) where possible. Find out more about SUDS on the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) website.
Trip Rate Information Computer System (TRICS)
TRICS is a national database of trip information, used for transport planning and development. Find out more from the TRICS website.
Parking standards
Our parking standards are set out in the supplementary planning guidance Parking standards at development.
Legal agreements
We use three standard types of agreements:
- Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. These agreements are used to get financial contributions and off site improvement works as part of planning consent.
- Section 278 of the Highway Act . These agreements are used to allow developers to carry out work on the public highway following planning consent.
- Section 38 of the Highway Act. These agreements are used to get new residential estate roads adopted following planning consent.
Further information
To find out more, contact the Development Control (roads and transport) team.
