The Planning Application Process

What happens to my planning application once it is submitted?

Once you have submitted your planning application it goes through a number of processes before a decision is made.

• Validation
• Registration
• Consultation
• Decision

Validation

Usually within 5 days of receipt

Upon receipt, applications are checked to make sure that all the required documentation and plans are present and that the correct fee has been submitted. If anything is missing we will write to the applicant detailing what is missing and requesting that the required information and/or fee be submitted so that the application can proceed.

If the required information and fee have been submitted the application is 'valid' and can be registered.

If the applicant has appointed an agent all communications during the process will go to the agent.

|back to top

---

Registration

Usually within a week of receipt

The application is entered into the register of applications and an acknowledgement letter is sent to the applicant/agent. The letter will provide the name of the case officer dealing with the application, the application reference number and the date by which we should make a decision on the application.

Please remember to quote the application reference number when contacting us.

|back to top

---

Consultation

Usually up to 4 weeks after receipt

Details of the application will be published so that local people are made aware of the proposals. It also provides an opportunity for people to comment on how they think the proposed development might affect them or the character of the area. This publicity can take the form of letters, planning lists, site notices, adverts in the local press and the website. Consultees are given 21 days to comment on an application, although comments may be accepted after this period if possible. Consultations will also take place with the statutory agencies, utility companies and other council departments.

You can make and view comments on a planning application on our View Applications page.

The Council also hold Development Control Forums for some large scale or contentious applications. This allows consultees to raise issues of concern and obtain answers to questions about a particular application. For more information about Development Control Forums please see the attached files section below.

|back to top

---

Decision

Usually 8 weeks after receipt or 13 weeks for a major application

Applications are either decided by Councillors at the Planning Committee, or by Officers in the Planning Department under delegated powers. Generally, smaller proposals such as house extensions, advertisements and changes of use are delegated to officers, whereas the Committee determines the larger and more complex applications.

At the end of the process a decision notice will be issued which will state whether the application has been approved or refused. This notice will also detail any conditions attached to an approval of planning permission and the reason for these conditions, or why an application has been refused. The notice will be sent to the applicant/agent and a copy can be found on our View Applications page.

Work on a proposal should not begin until a decision has been made.

|back to top

---

|
|