Permissions may be the subject of planning conditions, where, rather than refusing a planning application, a local planning authority might grant permission but might, for example, restrict the use of the site or require additional approvals for specific aspects of the development.
The Local Authorities are responsible for providing services in Sri Lanka which the law specifically allows them to do. It is required to provide services for the comfort, convenience and well being of the community in respective areas.
The local council will take into account a number of factors before responding to your proposal, and this generally includes how it could potentially disrupt your neighbours, the traffic, parking, disability access and the conservation of natural areas.
The Local Government System consisted of:
Visit our page List of Municipal Councils and find out more about planning permission.
Visit our page List of Urban Councils and find out more about planning permission.
Visit our page List of Pradeshiya Sabhas and find out more about planning permission.
If a local authority has been declared as an urban development area under the Urban Development Authority Act No. 41 of 1978, all construction activities should be in compliance with the rules and regulations set out therein.
Depending on the type of home improvement you are looking for, and the type of property you live in, you may need to apply for planning permission before any works are carried out.
Decisions on whether to grant planning permission are made in line with building guidance (Building regulations or Building Code) and the local planning policies set out by the local authority (or Urban Development Authority).
It is often a good idea to consult a planning architect at Kedalla for an informal discussion before you submit an application. So it’s a good idea to check first. It is also a question you have to answer and can assist the local authority in dealing with your application.
If you are meeting a planning architect at Kedalla you should be fully prepared to describe your proposals and show plans. You can:
The level of preparation required depends on what you propose to do. In simple cases it should be sufficient to look at the main issues governing the grant of permission and decide which of these are relevant to your application.
If you wish, you can appoint an agent to apply for planning permission on your behalf. For example, you may prefer your architect, solicitor or builder to take care of it.
When beginning a project you must consider whether the development will need to have planning permission or building regulations approval. To apply for planning permission you need to submit a planning application. All planning applications are required to be submitted on a standard form. The planning process can be complex and difficult to understand, particularly for those who may be unfamiliar with the system.
In order to provide an efficient service to the public, UDA has introduced an Online Application System, through which the public can directly submit some specific types of applications for approval of their intended development activities. You will need to create a account for the application services and there is a service charge for submitting online planning applications. As soon as payment for the application has been confirmed, it will be passed to the relevant local planning committee for the application process to begin. Alternatively, application forms can be printed, filled in by hand and sent to your local planning authority directly. Further, you can obtain relevant approvals from the nearest Provincial or District Office of UDA.
We help you to obtain land subdivision approvals from UDA
We help you to obtain certificate of conformity from UDA
We help you to obtain preliminary planning clearance from UDA
The local planning authority will not be able to process your application unless the mandatory supporting documentation has been provided. You can also attach any other relevant documentation which you think will help the local authority determine the application.
Your local authority may have their own acceptable method for you to provide supporting information. Please check with your local authority what these are before submitting.your local planning authority may produce a list which details any specific documentation that is required to accompany the application. The requirements may vary according to the type of application
If a local authority has been declared as an urban development area under the Urban Development Authority Act No. 41 of 1978, all building applications and building plans submitted for approval should be prepared in accordance with the Planning and Building Regulations of the Urban Development Authority (UDA)
The application and all the plans should be signed by the Owner/s of the premises and the qualified person/s. (refer Regulation) & his/ her registered seal.
Your application must be made up of:
An application form could be obtain from the relevant Pradeshiya sabha office, Municipal Council, Urban Council or Urban Development Authority
The Urban Areas are divided into various zones, such as Primary Residential, Mixed Residential, Commercial, etc. . and the types of development that can be permitted in each zone are classified in the Development Plans. It is the duty of designers to find out whether the proposed development is compatible with the zoning of the area. However the existing non-conforming uses in a zone may remain but no expansion of such activities is allowed in that respective zone.
For most planning and related applications, you will need to pay a fee which should be checked with the local planning authority.
It is the duty of the designer to check whether the block of land is affected by any street line, building line, or any other reservation. It is also important to check whether the site is affected by any private/public sewer line, public/private rain water drains and drainage paths.
Unauthorised development is where development is carried out without having received the appropriate permission or development not being carried out in compliance with the permission issued.
Many people will contact a planning consultant before they even buy a plot, to work out the potential of a development. This could save you thousands of rupees on buying a project that turns out not to be feasible.
Kedalla Planning consultants have full knowledge of the ever-changing planning policies that any project will be subject to. So, whether you are extending, renovating or building a new home, their help could be indispensable — especially if your project is in an area of which carries restrictions such as a Conservation Area.
Failing to obtain planning permission and can result in the council enforcing an order to undo the building work. Evidently, this costs time and money and can easily be avoided by obtaining the planning permission prior to commencement of the building work.
If you do not have planning permission, you may encounter problems when selling your property as the purchaser will need to see that the necessary permissions are obtained. If you are unsure of whether you require planning permission to extend or change your property, seek advice from your Local Authority.
Mr.A Edirisinghe
Deputy Principal
Vidyartha College, Kandy