Determining planning applications
We decide on planning
applications in two ways:
Delegation Scheme
A planning officer makes a recommendation
on applications under the delegation scheme. The file is then
passed to the Development Manager who has the final
decision.
Delegation scheme
(126kb pdf file).
Township Planning Committees and Regulatory Committee
Larger applications or applications affecting
local residents are put before Township Planning Committees and on
some occasions they refer more controversial applications to
the Regulatory Committee for a final decision.
Planning Committees
When an application goes to one of the
Township Planning Committees for a decision, we write a report
which summarises the planning issues and makes a recommendation. We
publish the list of reports detailing the applications and the
order in which they will be handled.
The meeting agendas (including these officer
reports) are available for viewing a week before the meeting date
and remain available for viewing for 12 months after. The
minutes of meetings are available to view five days after the
meeting date.
We notify all correspondents, applicants, or
their agents about a week before the meeting to let them know
the time and place of the committee meeting.
You are welcome to attend the committee and
you will be allowed to address the members. It is entirely at your
discretion whether you take the opportunity to speak. If there is
more than one objector to the application then normally the
Chairman of the Committee will allow only one person to speak in
view of the limited time available. Consequently objectors may get
together to make a joint case covering all the points that each
individual wishes to make. The applicant will also have the
opportunity to address the Committee after the objectors have put
their views. The members of the Committee may ask questions
of each speaker after they have spoken. The Committee
members will then debate the merits of the application and make a
decision.
When making a decision the council
must give reasons for its decision based on the relevant planning
issues.
The decision
The Council can grant permission, with appropriate conditions if
necessary, or refuse permission. When making a decision, the
Council must give adequate reasons for its decision based on
relevant planning issues. The decision notice, including the
Council’s reason for decision will be posted on the website within
2 working days of decision. Alternatively, if you wish, you
may telephone this office or visit your local library to find out
the result.
Objecting to a decision
Should an objector feel that they have been misrepresented, or
the council has done an inadequate job of making the decision,
objectors may appeal to the Government Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can
only deal with cases of unfair administration and similar. Details
of the role of the Ombudsman, and a leaflet detailing when and how
the Ombudsman can become involved can be obtained from their
website.