Taking your views into account

When we receive your comments these will be placed on the planning file and be available for public inspection. Many decisions are taken by officers under ‘delegated powers’, after consideration of any representations. Where an application is to be decided by the Planning Committee a summary of all representations are included in the report to them.

There is an opportunity for a limited number of interested parties to address the Planning Committee in person. Should you wish to reserve the opportunity to address the Planning Committee it is important to indicate this in any written representations you submit. However, if objecting to an application clearly compliant with Supplementary Planning Guidance/Documents (SPG/SPD)and/or policy you do not have the opportunity to refer it to the Planning Committee.

Equally, if supporting an application clearly departing from SPG/SPD and/or policy you do not have the opportunity to refer it. If the Officer’s recommended decision is the same as the one that you want then the application is normally dealt with under delegated powers. You will need to register to speak after we notify you of any committee meeting date.

The Committee agenda is published five days before the meeting and is available to view on our website or in the Council offices. The meetings are held in public at York House (adjacent to the Civic Centre) every two weeks. If the application on which you have commented is to be heard by the Planning Committee we will write to you and invite you to come and speak at the meeting. If you prefer, you can contact your local councillor and ask if they would put forward your views at the meeting.

The names and contact details of councillors on the Planning Committee and your local councillor can be found on our website. Alternatively, we can send these to you.

Councillors who are voting members of the Planning Committee cannot express a view on any comments sent to them if they wish to participate in the decision making process at a later date. For this reason, interested parties may wish to avoid sending views to these members and send them direct to the Planning Department.