Planning applications
The planning authority talks to the highways development control team every week. They discuss applications that affect the highway due to development.
We ensure that all new developments are sustainable, accessible, and safe. We also work to reduce any major impact on the local highway network and all road users.
Land-use planning plays a key role in achieving this. It ensures that we create high-quality, accessible environments that match national and local planning policies.
We have three weeks in which to make a formal response to the planning authority. We have three options:
- To ask for more information to address highway concerns or explain the proposals.
- We have no objections to the proposal. We recommend planning conditions if the application won’t harm the highway or if we can fix any issues with improvement works.
- We request that the application be refused due to highway safety concerns. Any refusal will be based on the understanding that the reasons provided can stand up if challenged on appeal.
We can only make requests and recommendations. The final decision rests with the relevant planning authority or committee.
Pre-planning enquiries
Developers can get pre-application advice on highways. This helps them work with us to fix problems, boost sustainability, improve design quality, and give stakeholders more certainty.
We encourage early talks about highways matters. This helps spot important issues sooner, leading to a faster and smoother planning application process.
Before any pre-application meeting, we ask the Developer/Agent to provide a proposed site layout plan, a site location plan, and any other supporting information. This should be done at least seven working days before the meeting.
The development control team will give objective advice based on what developers share. They will do this in good faith, but it won't affect the formal review of any planning application. Any advice given will normally be confirmed in writing through the planning team.
Contact us
For any general enquiries, including pre-application queries, please contact us on: highwaysdc@manchester.gov.uk.
For adoption and construction-related matters, including Section 278 and 38 agreements and fees, and requests for a Section 278/38 application form, please email : highways278@manchester.gov.uk