When planning applications are heard by the Development Control Committee or a Planning Sub-Committee, there is an opportunity for applicants, members of the public and other interested parties to put forward views for or against the application. The information that they provide is considered to be very useful in helping the Committee or Sub-Committee to reach a sound planning decision.
You can request to attend the meeting and address the Committee or Sub-Committee in person. Three minutes is allocated for each of the following groups to address the committee:
- Those objecting to the application
- The relevant parish or town council
- Those supporting the application, including the applicant
- The ward member(s)
The time limit will be strictly applied. This means that the total time allocated for all representations on any application is twelve minutes. We ask that you forward a copy of your submission to us prior to the meeting, just in case there are any difficulties on the day and you are unable to attend the meeting.
Planning applications for which a speaker or speakers have been registered will, whenever possible, be heard first. This may involve some re-ordering of the applications compared to how they appear on the committee agenda.
Please contact us by 12 noon the Friday before the meeting to request to take part by emailing [email protected] or by calling Customer Services on 01993 861000.
What you can comment on
Submissions will be allowed on any application on the schedule of planning applications to be considered by the Development Control Committee or Planning Sub-Committees. For example, applications for planning permission, listed building consent, conservation area consent, advertisement consent and applications to fell trees the subject of Tree Preservation Orders. It will also be allowed those types of application included on the agenda for determination at the meeting, or where confirmation of a previous decision is being sought. Submissions will not be allowed on items within the Agenda, such as potential enforcement action cases where there is no associated retrospective planning application or Lawful Development Certificates which are legal determinations based on the facts.
Planning meetings are held in public and no submissions of a personal, slanderous, defamatory, or otherwise offensive or abusive nature should be made.
A maximum of three minutes per submission will be allowed. The time must be strictly adhered to. The Chair may, in exceptional circumstances, use their discretion to extend the time allocated for representations.
Conflict of interests
Submissions must be seen to be truly independent and not have a direct interest in the application or be related to, or a business associate of the applicant. Town and Parish Councillors are reminded of their responsibilities under the agreed Code of Conduct. We will not be aware of any interests or conflicts which town or parish councillors have. So the responsibility for complying with this rests with the council and councillor concerned.