Office Order No. 7 / 2019, Delegation of Powers for Planning Permission Applications
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Administration Division, issued Office Order No. 7 / 2019 dated 12 March 2019, revising who may dispose of planning permission applications for non-high rise residential and commercial special building and group development proposals. It partially modifies Office Order No. 22/2001 and allocates authority according to the proposed extent, while setting timelines and reporting requirements for officers.
What the order governs
Office Order No. 7 / 2019 of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Administration Division, governs the internal disposal of planning permission applications for non-high rise residential and commercial proposals involving special buildings and group developments. The order was signed by the Principal Secretary and Member-Secretary and is dated 12 March 2019.
The order partially modifies Office Order No. 22/2001. It also records several later office orders and administrative decisions as references.
Delegation by extent
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority assigns responsibility according to the extent stated in the application:
- For proposals up to 1,000 Sq.m., powers are delegated to Deputy Planners.
- For proposals up to 5,000 Sq.m., powers are delegated to the Chief Planner (APU).
- For proposals above 5,000 Sq.m., powers remain with the Member-Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.
The source lists both the up to 1,000 Sq.m. and up to 5,000 Sq.m. limits without separately stating the lower boundary for the Chief Planner category.
Processing and escalation
Office Order No. 7 / 2019 requires officers who receive delegated powers to dispose of files within 30 days from the date an application is submitted. If a file is not disposed of within that period, it must be sent to the Chief Planner for a decision, together with the reasons for the delay.
The officers concerned must submit an approval or disposal report to the Member-Secretary every Monday.
Returns, refusals and signatures
Office Order No. 7 / 2019 sets separate handling requirements for applications that are not approved:
- A file proposed to be returned unapproved for resubmission must be submitted to the Chief Planner.
- A file involving refusal or rejection of planning permission must be submitted to the Member-Secretary.
- A Deputy Planner or Chief Planner exercising delegated authority must sign using their own name and designation.
- The signing officer must quote the delegation order.
- Deputy Planners and the Chief Planner must not sign for the Member-Secretary.
Who may be affected
Property owners, developers and professionals applying for planning permission for covered non-high rise residential or commercial projects may be affected because the proposal extent determines which Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority officer handles the file. The order does not change the planning standards or state that an application is automatically approved after 30 days.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Who can decide a planning permission application for a proposal up to 1,000 Sq.m.?
Office Order No. 7 / 2019 delegates powers for proposals up to 1,000 Sq.m. to Deputy Planners.
What happens if the application is not disposed of within 30 days?
The file must be submitted to the Chief Planner for a decision, with the reasons for the delay. The order does not provide for automatic approval.
Who handles a refusal or rejection of planning permission?
A file involving refusal or rejection must be submitted to the Member-Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.
Can a Deputy Planner sign on behalf of the Member-Secretary?
No. The Deputy Planner or Chief Planner must sign with their own name and designation, quote the delegation order, and must not sign for the Member-Secretary.
