The planning application process

Applicants should be aware that information submitted with a planning application, including details of the agent and applicant, is public information.  These details, along with electronic images of the main documents, are available via the ‘Planning Explorer’ facility. Certain personal information contained in application paperwork which is not specifically relative to the application itself, for example an applicant’s home telephone number or personal e-mail address, is not made available on the website.

Your planning application will be acknowledged within a few days.   If you have employed an agent they will receive all correspondence about your application.   The application will be placed on the Planning Register where it can be inspected by any interested member of the public and details will also be made available on the Council’s web site.    If appropriate we will notify your neighbours and put up a notice on or near the site.  In certain cases, applications are also advertised in a local newspaper.  This gives the public the opportunity to express views.  If applicable the parish or town council will be notified in addition to other bodies such as the County Council, the Environment Agency and relevant Government Offices.

Anyone can comment on your proposals.  Planning officers will assess the relevance of comments and, in the light of them, may suggest minor changes to the application to overcome any difficulties.

A report may be written for Development Control Committee, which is made up of elected councillors, but in most cases the Borough Planning Officer will have delegated authority to decide your application.

The reports and any background papers used in their preparation are available for public inspection.   The background papers will generally include the comments of consultees, objectors and supporters which are relevant to the determination of the application.

Following the decision on the application, either at Committee or through delegated powers, we will send a decision notice outlining the nature of the decision and any conditions that have to be satisfied before you can commence development.

Planning permission may only be one of the approvals that you need to undertake your project.   In most cases building regulation approval will also be required for the details of the construction.  Other consents may also be required.