Highways Development

When consulted by the local planning authority, to provide constructive comments on a planning proposal, highway layout, design, street hierarchy etc, Highways Development Management consult colleagues across Traffic and Safety. This advice feeds into the decision on the planning application.

We recognise that early discussions have a number of benefits, including:

• Reduction in the time spent working up a proposal
• Smoother passage through the planning process
• Ensuring an application is complete and to a satisfactory standard
• Avoids delays and duplication of work, saving time and money

Developers should prepare their own proposals for consideration and not rely on HDM to design the scheme - we are here to advise and not design. The following weblinks and information, although not exhaustive, will help with your initial designs and layouts for HDM’s consideration.

• Highway Agreements Guidance for Developers - guidance on the application to enter into a legal agreement under section 278 and/or section 38 of the Highways Act 1980
• Manual for Streets - replaces previous guidance on residential street design, in particular 'Design Bulletin 32' and 'Places Streets and Movements'.
• Highway Support for Developers - Nottingham City Council – advice on travel planning, including workplace travel plans and school travel plans
• Nottingham City, Land and Planning Policies Development Plan Document sets out a vision and strategy for growth and sustainable development in Nottingham
• Design Quality Framework – Nottingham’s award winning guide for design, planning, sustainable development, connecting people with places
• The Trics for calculating trip rate information
• Rights of Way Developer Guidance - guidance for developers on how to deal with public rights of way, creations, closures and diversions

These agreements are made under the Highways Act 1980. You will need to enter into a S38 Agreement if the proposed development includes the dedication of new roads, footways, footpaths or other rights of way to be adopted by the Council as publicly maintained highways. You will also need a S278 if the proposed development includes works to alter existing highway land, for example altering the layout of a junction or creating a new access into the development site. For both agreements, you should start discussing the design and layout as early as possible. For submission of technical drawings, information on bonds, fees and timescales, please email highway.agreements@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Note: If you are carrying out works on an existing highway, as well as a S278 Agreement, you will need other permissions / licences to enter and work on the highway land. Please see “other permissions, permits and licences” below

The importance of road safety cannot be overstated and runs through and informs all stages of the highway and planning processes, from inception through to design, technical submissions and formal highway adoption. The Road Safety team offer advice to developers and planners and carryout all road safety audits independently. This process feeds into the S38 Agreement and S278 Agreement process and ensures the highway network is safe for all users, whether they are on foot, cycle, mobility scooter or motor vehicle. For information on road safety, safety audits, fees and advice please email road.safetyaudit@nottinghamcity.gov.uk / road.safety@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.

Where the footprint of a proposed development encroaches on to the highway (including roads, verges, footways, footpaths and all other public rights of way), before the development can be carried out, you will need a stopping up order or a diversion order (Town and Country Planning Act 1990). The Council’s traffic and safety service area offers pre-application advice and can assist you with the application to the Department for Transport which can run concurrently with the planning process. For advice and further information including timescales and fees, please email john.lee@nottinghamcity.gov.uk. 

This part of the highway, planning and development process is managed by the Councils Highway Network Management team. Their role is to manage and coordinate all work and activities taking place on the highway, including statutory utilities, public or private events, emergencies, planning and developments, and to Keep Nottingham Moving. 

When applying for a S278 Agreement to alter the highway, you will also need authorisation to enter the highway to carry out the work. For all highway and street work permits, hoardings, Section 50 and Section 184 licences under the Highways Act 1980, and temporary and permanent Traffic Regulation Orders please email highwayapprovals@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Contact details for the different areas are provided below.