Planning - have your say
Under the planning legislation we have a duty to publicise
all planning applications. We take into account any opinions
given in writing where they relate to planning legislation.
Making your views known
To comment or object to a planning application:
You can see the paper documents and plans at the
Planning and Regulation Service offices.
Other ways to comment or object
Commenting online is the easiest way and you can also do this at
your local library. But if you prefer, you can
also write to us.
Any comments you want to make must be in writing to the
Head of Planning and Regulation.
What happens to my comments or objections?
The planning officers will see your comments
or objections when they consider the application. All
comments must be about planning matters relevant to the
application.
We will keep all the comments with the planning application
file, which is open to public inspection. The planning officer
dealing with the case will consider your views and take account of
them in a written report, which is open to public inspection.
Please note that all representations received are also published on
the council's website.
Because of the number of views we get, not all of
them are reported fully, but a summary of the points
raised is made in writing in the officer’s report. If the
application goes before a planning committee, the letters are
available to committee members. It is important that you make any
comments within 21 days as we can determine certain types of
application if no objections are received at the end of the
publicity period.
What can I object about?
Anyone can object to a planning application whether or not they
are a resident. All objections must be in writing and must be
relevant to planning issues. These issues include, but are not
limited to:
- The Council's published planning policies in the Unitary Development Plan
- Government planning guidance
- Scale
- Privacy
- Highway safety and congestion
- Noise
- Disturbance
- Air pollution
- Design
- Appearance
- Layout
- Conservation of buildings
- Effects on trees and amenity
Issues that are considered not relevant include, but are not
limited to:
- Matters covered by other laws (such as alcohol
license)
- Private property rights (such as boundary or access
disputes)
- Loss of view
- Effects on property values
- Possible future development
- Trade competition
Publicising planning applications
Our code of practice on publicity of planning
applications explains how we publicise different
types of planning applications.
Code of Practice for the Publicity of Planning Applications (230kb
pdf file)