This is part two of our articles on how to get Town and Country Approvals in Trinidad and Tobago. You can find the first part here.
Once you have completed and been granted the Outline Approval, you can then move on to the “Planning Permission” phase. The Outline Approval is first needed for building operations and the subdivision of land and once that is completed you can then send your application for Planning Permission prior to the start of any development.
According to the Town and Country Planning Division, Planning Permission is required for the following:
● Building operations (erection and structural addition or renovation of buildings).
● Change of use of a building or land.
● Retention of an existing building.
● Subdivision of land.
● Cutting, clearing, grading or filling of land.
● Construction of roads and drains.
What is the process of obtaining Planning Permission?
In order to obtain Planning Permission applicants have to fill out the application form and include documents and technical drawings that pertain to the property and any planned construction.
The Ministry asks for four copies of the complete application form for “Permission to Develop Land.” Which can be downloaded here or picked up at your nearest regional office.
Along with the application form you also need to submit the following:
● Four copies of a location sketch. The Ministry explains further, “with sufficient information to enable the site to be clearly and positively identified by a field officer. Information such as the plot number, postal address, number of the nearest light pole, mark of the nearest milepost, prominent landmark, culvert and other similar information, will be useful on-location sketches”.
● Four copies of all plans and drawings that describe the proposed development. They ask that “all drawings are to be drawn at an appropriate scale for legibility and easy handling. It should include the following if applicable:
○ Location and site plan showing the north sign.
○ Floor plans and foundation plans.
○ Elevations and sections.
○ Structural drawings.
○ Isometric drawings (for sewered buildings).
○ Electrical drawings (for non-residential buildings).”
● Two copies of the completed Application Form for the Utilization of Land also needs to be filled out and forwarded to the local authority. This form can be obtained from the municipal corporation responsible for the area where the property is. You can find the office for your area here.
Once you have completed these forms you can then submit your application and documents to one of the Town and Country Planning Division’s four Regional Offices. An acknowledgement slip will be given to you in return for the application form. Thereafter, the Development Control Inspector from the Town and Country Planning Division will visit the site to collect additional information pertaining to the application.
Thereafter, an evaluation and report will be attached to the application and submitted to the Planning Division. Applicants will be notified within two months whether their application was approved or refused.
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