Office Order No.14/2018, Delegation of Powers for Planning Permission Applications
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Administration Division, issued Office Order No.14/2018 dated 12 December 2018 to revise who may approve planning permission applications for special buildings and residential or commercial group developments. The office order partially modifies Office Order No.22/2001 dated 7 November 2001 and allocates approval powers according to the proposed extent.
What the office order governs
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Administration Division, issued Office Order No.14/2018 dated 12 December 2018 for the disposal of planning permission applications. It applies to special building proposals and residential or commercial group development proposals.
The office order changes part of the delegation previously made under Office Order No.22/2001 dated 7 November 2001. It identifies which Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority officer may approve an application based on its extent.
Approval authority by extent
Office Order No.14/2018 assigns approval powers as follows:
- Deputy Planners may approve special building and group development proposals up to 1,000 square metres.
- The Chief Planner, Area Plans Unit, may approve proposals up to 2,000 square metres.
- The Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority may approve proposals above 2,000 square metres.
These limits cover residential and commercial group developments as well as special buildings.
Processing and reporting requirements
Office Order No.14/2018 requires officers who receive delegated powers to dispose of files within 30 days from the date the applications are submitted.
- If a file is not disposed of within 30 days, it must be sent to the Chief Planner for a decision.
- The submission must state the reasons for the delay.
- The officers concerned must give the Member Secretary an approval or disposal report every Monday.
Returned and refused applications
Office Order No.14/2018 treats returned and refused planning permission applications separately:
- If a planning permission application is returned without approval, the Chief Planner must issue the return order.
- If a planning permission application is refused, the file must be submitted to the Member Secretary for orders, regardless of the proposal's extent.
Signing of decisions
Office Order No.14/2018 requires the Deputy Planner or Chief Planner exercising delegated authority to sign using their own name and designation. They must quote the delegation order and must not sign on behalf of the Member Secretary.
Property applicants and professionals can use these provisions to identify the expected approving officer, the internal 30 day disposal requirement, and the authority responsible when an application is returned or refused.
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Common questions
Who can approve my special building proposal if it is up to 1,000 square metres?
Office Order No.14/2018 delegates approval power for special building proposals up to 1,000 square metres to Deputy Planners.
What happens if my planning permission file is not disposed of within 30 days?
The file must be submitted to the Chief Planner for a decision, together with the reasons for the delay.
Who decides a refused planning permission application?
Every file involving refusal must be submitted to the Member Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for orders, irrespective of its extent.
Can a Deputy Planner sign a planning decision for the Member Secretary?
No. The Deputy Planner or Chief Planner must sign with their own name and designation, quote Office Order No.14/2018, and must not sign for the Member Secretary.
