Applying for Planning Permission
Planning Committee Procedures
Planning Committee meetings are open to the public.
The planning committee agenda papers are normally published 5 working before the planning committee meeting. They are available on-line and as hard copy at the Council offices.
A Supplementary Information list is often made available on the evening of the planning committee meeting. This contains information received after publication of the planning committee agenda papers.
The planning committee chairman will open the meeting and make introductions.
Meetings may be recorded in accordance with the Council's protocol for audio recording of meetings.
Planning applications are usually taken in agenda order. However, items against which public are registered to speak are normally brought forward.
The planning officer introduces the report.
If necessary planning committee will be given a period at the planning committee meeting to consider Supplementary Information.
Any public speaking will be heard. This is by prior arrangement with request being made by midday of the previous day. Members of the public including applicants can speak for 3 minutes. This is set out in the Council's note on Public Participation at Meetings of the Planning Committee.
Planning committee members can ask questions of the speaker.
· Public speaking is complete. The public cannot take part in subsequent debate of the planning committee.
Ward Councillors sometimes speak for 5 minutes on behalf of local residents.
Planning committee members (who are all elected councillors) then debate the matter.
The planning officer, or others in attendance (eg Solicitor) will provide clarification and advise as committee if asked by a planning committee member(s)
Planning committee take a decision by vote on a show of hands. The vote is normally recorded.
The chairman does not vote but does have a casting vote if needed.
Where the committee decides not to follow officers' recommendations, the Chairman asks Councillors to identify reasons for this.
The following types of decisions are typically made:-
· Refused with reasons.
· Approved with conditions, reasons and or legal agreements[1]
· Deferred for further information or for a site visit.
· Deferred and delegated to the Head of Built Environment or Development Control Manager for a final decision which may be taken in consultation with the Chairman.
The following are typical 'material considerations':
Planning decisions have to be made in accordance with Development Plan policy (ie local plan or local development framework) and any other material consideration.
Representations submitted on applications will be considered when determining planning applications. To be properly considered representations must be based on material planning considerations. Material planning considerations will vary but can include:
Visual Impact, privacy/overbearing, light, Noise, traffic, Ecology, Crime (and fear of) and potential for economic development.
Other factors cannot be taken into account when determining a planning application, such as:
The applicant, ownership, private rights (e.g. access) and restrictive covenants, Competition, loss of private view and loss of property value.
[1] By legal agreements is meant agreements under Section 106 of the Town and Country planning Act 1990 which enables the Council to control development or obtain a necessary community benefit from a developer beyond the scope of planning conditions.
