It is a sad day when I have to admit defeat and accept that it is now no longer possible to act as architect and agent to submit planning applications to Dorset Council. I can carry on with applications for listed building consent.
The validation and new planning requirements are now so stringent that I can only continue with projects currently in the pipeline. It says more about our ever changing world than my competence. I prided myself that I could be across all the disciplines sufficient to have a reasonable grasp of what was expected and that my applications were reasonably comprehensive. Now my clients are expected to invest in experts for ecology, arboricultural impact assessment, structural integrity, flood and surface water risk assessments although I still carry out my own heritage, design & access statements and sustainability checklists.