Generally, planning permission is needed for any development of land or property unless the development is specifically exempted from this requirement. Under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, the provision of a hard surface within the curtilage of a house is exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission, subject to certain conditions. However, this does not include the widening of a gateway or access to the property.
The widening of a gate or access to a property may seem like a relatively minor development; however it may have significant impacts on road safety, neighbouring properties or the appearance of a house or row of houses. Where this is the case, I consider it appropriate that these issues should fall to be considered by the planning code. Equally, I do not think that the introduction of different planning application processes for different types of development would deliver a more streamlined or simplified planning system overall.
Indeed, where possible I have taken steps to standardise procedures for the making of planning applications. The Planning and Development Regulations 2006 provide, among other things, for a standardised application form for use in all instances, in all planning authority areas. This standardisation will provide clarity in the system and in the processing of applications and will ensure that all relevant information is available to the planning authority in making its decision.