Our commitment to you - what we aim to deliver

Advice and general enquiries

In order to encourage high quality proposals and to ensure any subsequent applications are dealt with as efficiently as possible we encourage informal discussions prior to the submission of a planning application.

An appropriate officer will normally be available during office hours to provide general information and advice on planning matters.
If advice is sought by letter we aim to provide a full response within 15 working days although it may take longer in complex cases. You may also complete and submit a planning enquiry online form to the right of this page.
When we cannot deal with telephone immediately we will endeavour to respond within one working day.

Submitting a planning application

If you decide to submit a planning application.

A member of the registration team will normally be available during office hours to help you complete planning application forms, ownership certificates and calculate fees if required.

Notifying the public

We publicise planning applications through a combination of neighbour notification letters, site notices, the publication of a weekly list in the Oxford Times, and a weekly list of all applications on this site.

Neighbours of those properties (business or residential) adjoining the application site, plus any judged to be directly affected by it, will be sent a letter and invited to make comments within a 21 day period.
Site notices are generally posted in the vicinity of the site within five days of the application being registered.
All applications, except those for some minor householder developments and advertisement consents, will be advertised in the Oxford Times.
Copies of valid applications received and of decisions made will be placed on a public register.
Comments on applications will be acknowledged within one day of their receipt.
When a proposal is amended and further consultation is deemed necessary people will usually be given at least 14 days to make comments on the amended plans.

Dealing with planning applications

A planning officer will be assigned to deal with each application and the name of that officer will be made known to the applicant or agent. When dealing with planning applications -

When practicable and on request the planning officer will specify a target date for a decision.
When proposals are considered to be unacceptable, but the deficiencies could be overcome by amendments, suggested improvements will be made to the applicant.
We aim to process 70% of general applications and 80% of householder applications within the eight-week target set by central government.
80% of decision notices will be issued within two working days of the date on which the final decision is made.
Individual representations and organisers of petitions will be informed of the decision on the application within five working days of the decision being made.
When an application has been refused, and where changes or alternatives might lead to a favourable decision on a revised application, suggestions for improvement will be made.

Enforcing planning law and conditions

A dedicated enforcement team is responsible for both investigating complaints about development that appears to have taken place without planning permission and for monitoring development to ensure compliance with conditions agreed when permission was granted.

Complaints about alleged breaches of planning control will be acknowledged within 2 working days.
In cases of alleged breaches of planning control the site will be inspected and other information sought to establish the facts.
The complainant will be notified of how the Council intends to pursue the matter.
The complainant will be further notified in writing of the decision to take enforcement action.

Complaints and performance

Our aim is to provide a quality service and hopefully you will never have cause to complain. However, occasionally things can go wrong and if you are dissatisfied with the service provided please let us know and we will investigate the matter further. Most problems can be settled quickly and simply by talking to the appropriate member of staff. When a complaint is made we promise:

To acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and tell you who is dealing with it.
In the normal course of events to provide a full response to your complaint within 15 working days of receipt. However, if we are unable to answer your complaint within that time we will let you know when a full response will be available.

If you still feel your complaint has not been dealt with satisfactorily then you can ask the Chief Executive to review the matter. Please view the 'Publications' area of the site to request or download a copy of the Council's complaints procedure leaflet for further information.