31Application for, and grant of, certificate of approval

31 Application for, and grant of, certificate of approval

(1)  Before a proposal for which a council's certificate of approval is required is registered or otherwise carried into effect, the applicant must apply to the council for the area in which the site (or proposed site) is situated for a certificate of approval.

(2)  The application must be accompanied by –

(a) any sketches, plans or models necessary for a proper understanding of the proposal; and

(b) any prescribed documents; and

(ba) [Section 31 Subsection (2) amended by No. 31 of 2020, s. 22, Applied:30 Nov 2020] evidence, satisfactory to the council, that is sufficient to enable the council to be satisfied as to the matters specified in subsection (3) in relation to the application; and

(c) the prescribed fee.

(2A)  [Section 31 Subsection (2A) inserted by No. 31 of 2020, s. 22, Applied:30 Nov 2020] The council must, within 30 business days after the day on which it receives the application, issue, or refuse to issue, a certificate of approval in relation to the application.

(2B)  [Section 31 Subsection (2B) inserted by No. 31 of 2020, s. 22, Applied:30 Nov 2020] The council may –

(a) within 15 business days after the day on which it receives the application, give to the applicant notice in writing specifying that the council requires further information in order to determine the application; and

(b) within 8 business days after the day on which it receives further information requested under paragraph (a) or subparagraph (ii)  –

(i) decide that the information is satisfactory; or

(ii) give to the applicant notice in writing specifying that the information is not satisfactory and require the applicant to provide further information necessary to satisfy the council.