Roc. No. 23152/11/GR, Section 47(A), Prior Concurrence of the Director, Instructions
The Office of the Director of Town and Country Planning issued Roc. No. 23152/11/GR on 12 October 2011 to explain the approval process for development of land outside a planning area under section 47(A) of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. It requires permission from the local authority and prior concurrence of the Director, with matters beyond delegated powers referred to the Director. The circular took effect immediately.
What the circular governs
The Office of the Director of Town and Country Planning issued Roc. No. 23152/11/GR on 12 October 2011 concerning planning permission and technical clearance for development of land outside a planning area. The circular explains how the prior concurrence requirement under amended section 47(A) of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 must be followed.
Who is affected
Roc. No. 23152/11/GR applies to development proposed on land that is not covered by a planning area. It gives instructions to Regional Deputy Directors and also concerns local bodies, Member Secretaries of Local Planning Authorities, and Member Secretaries of New Town Development Authorities involved in granting permission or technical clearance.
For a property owner or developer, the central issue is whether the land is outside a planning area. If it is, the approval process described in the circular applies.
Key requirements
Section 47(A), as described in Roc. No. 23152/11/GR, requires:
- Permission from the local authority for development of land outside a planning area.
- Prior concurrence of the Director for that development.
- Regional Deputy Directors to advise local bodies under their jurisdiction to obtain the required prior concurrence.
- Prior concurrence to be handled only within the powers already delegated under the circulars cited in the document.
- Any activity beyond those delegated powers to be referred to the Director, even where a local body seeks technical clearance from the regional office under section 47(A).
Earlier delegated powers
Roc. No. 23152/11/GR refers to earlier proceedings that delegated certain powers to local bodies under Local Planning Authorities and New Town Development Authorities. Those powers covered planning permission, site approval and building licence, limited to 4,000 square feet for residential purposes and 2,000 square feet for commercial buildings.
The circular also refers to additional powers delegated to Member Secretaries of Local Planning Authorities and New Town Development Authorities, and to Regional Deputy Directors, for planning permission or technical clearance. It does not describe the full extent of those additional powers.
Effective date
Roc. No. 23152/11/GR states that the instructions came into force immediately and required immediate acknowledgement of receipt.
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
Does development outside a planning area need approval from the local authority?
Yes. Roc. No. 23152/11/GR states that permission from the local authority is required for development of land not covered by a planning area.
Is the local authority's permission enough for land outside a planning area?
No. The circular also requires prior concurrence of the Director for development of land outside a planning area.
What happens if a proposed activity is beyond the powers delegated to the regional office?
The activity must be referred to the Director, even if the local body is seeking technical clearance from the regional office under section 47(A).
What building size limits are mentioned for powers delegated to local bodies?
The cited earlier delegation covered up to 4,000 square feet for residential purposes and 2,000 square feet for commercial buildings.
