Planning Application Search

You can find an application is two ways

• Use the Planning Application Search facility. This allows searching by reference number, address and date ranges. It is recommended that you use the reference number to search. 
• View the weekly list which contains all valid applications received or determined in the last 18 weeks.

Both of the above methods will result in you being delivered to the same application record, which will contain varying levels of information depending on the age of that application. Current applications are accompanied by all relevant plans and information.

You are able to comment on an application as long as a decision has not been made. However, as the Council looks to determine applications as quickly as possible, you are advised to make any comments as soon as you can. If you feel you need a little longer to comment, you are advised to contact the case officer to see if this is possible.

You can comment on an application using the Planning Application Search facility. The target determination, consultation period and case officer details will be listed here, as well as the option to make comments where possible. You can also make comments directly by emailing the Council using the contact details to the right.

The Council considers a number of different matters. The most important will be how the proposal fairs against planning policy. Such policy looks at sustainability of development (e.g. location, access to services), design, amenity impacts, and highway safety. You are advised to familiarise yourself with the relevant policies before making any comments.

Material considerations can also be considered, and these will often be looked at where conflict with policy occurs. Sometimes case law or extant permissions/lawful uses will be considered.

The Government makes it very clear that there are some things that are not "planning considerations". The following matters are not relevant planning considerations and have no weight in a planning decision:

• Matters covered by, and enforced by, other legislation
• Property rights (boundary and access disputes, covenants, private drainage concerns)
• People's morals or motives
• Speculation
• Loss of a view
• Property value
• Any form of prejudice

The Council makes decisions on planning applications through its Planning and Development Board. However, in line with Government recommendations, the Board will not deal with all applications. It delegates the decision of most cases to the Assistant Chief Executive & Solicitor to the Council.

In most cases, if the representations received coincide with the officer's recommendation, then the application will not be reported to the Board. However, if the nature of the representations differ from the recommendation, then the application may go to the Board, depending on the outcome of consultation with the local ward members and the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Board. A copy of the full Scheme of Delegation can be obtained here, which explains this process fully as well as listing those applications which will automatically be reported to the Board. Please note that an application is not automatically refused if an objection is received.

The Board meets roughly every month and dates of the meetings are published here. The agenda is normally made available 5 working days before the date of the meeting. Minutes from the meeting are made available as soon as possible after the date of the meeting.

The Council introduced public speaking at the Board in November 2011. It is important to note that not all applications are presented to the Board, and consequently the right to speak only extends to those applications which are.

To establish whether an application is to be reported to the Board you should first check the agenda which will be published here 5 working days before the date of the meeting. If the application is being presented and you wish to speak, you will need to inform the Democratic Services Section at least two clear working days before the Board meeting, providing a brief outline of what you wish to say as well as the application reference number. They can be contacted by email or by phone on (01827) 719222.

The applicant will be informed of the Council's decision and the relevant decision notice will be issued. There may be conditions attached to an approval which precludes development from commencing until further details have been submitted to and approved by the Council. Beyond this, Development Control usually has no further involvement, although the applicant may need to address matters such as Building Regulations approval or legal matters.

If you specifically ask so when making any comments, we will also notify you of the outcome of the application. We will not send you a copy of the decision notice.

When a decision is made the Council will publish the decision notice and officer's report on the Planning Application Search facility. You may download these items free of charge.

Should you wish to view the correspondence which has led to that decision, please contact the Central Services Planning Support Team using the contact details to the right. There will be a couple of days delay before a copy of the file is published on the Planning Application Search facility.

Please note, applications from 2006 and before are only viewable by visiting the Council's offices during normal opening hours. You are advised to contact the Central Services Planning Support Team using the contact details to the right before visiting to ensure the relevant file is available. You can also seek paper copies of plans at our offices, subject to the Council's fees and charges schedule.