Planning, Licensing, Building

Rateable Values
This web site from the Valuation Office lists the rateable values of all non-domestic properties in England & Wales. For example, you can search for Swansea as a billing authority and then check the rateable values of all the properties in an individual street. The rateable value is not the rates bill, but the site explains how this is calculated.

Planning
If new building or change of use is involved, contact your local Planning Authority (your local council) for leaflet "A step-by-step guide to planning permission for small businesses".

Planning Portal
Watch this space ... the Planning Portal went live Friday 31 May 2002 but is still being developed. Eventually on-line forms and Development Plans will be available via the portal.

Building Regulations
If the premises require structural alterations, you will find information on Building Regulations from the ODPM website. Locally, contact your Building Regulations Department (your local council) for advice.

Building Control
A portal to an electronic database of all Building Control Offices in the UK & Ireland. Users can access regulations, technical content, downloadable files, information and tools to assist in the application process. The aim of this portal is to facilitate electronic communication to and from your Local Authority Building Control Office.

Rights of access for disabled
From 1 October 1999, under the latest stage of the Disability Discrimination Act, people running shops, restaurants, sports grounds and council facilities have to take "reasonable" steps to ensure they can be used by disabled people. Read an Introduction for Small and Medium-sized Businesses on the DDA web site.

Disability Rights Commission
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has published a statutory Code of Practice for businesses to be more accessible to disabled people. The Code of Practice provides guidance and information aimed at businesses on the current duties and future responsibilities coming into place in 2004.

Licences
Cinemas, Theatres, Child Minding, Private Hire Vehicles, Indoor Sports Venues, Public Entertainment (in any type of establishment), Nightclubs, Pet shops, Pet Boarding Kennels, Scrap Metal Dealing, Residential Care, and Nursing Homes, Nursing Agencies, Street Trading: apply to your Local Authority Licensing Department.