Frequently Asked Questions

You can approach your ward councillor to discuss planning issues or to explain your point of view, whether or not the councillor is a planning applications committee member. They may be able to offer you advice and assistance but normally will refer technical or policy queries to the appropriate officers.  Councillors will often be lobbied about planning applications by neighbours and on occasion by developers.

A member of the planning applications committee has to be careful not to appear to "pre-determine" any application. They are likely to acknowledge any concerns expressed or points made in support of an application, but will only be able to make a final decision at the committee meeting after considering all relevant matters.

At Wandsworth, neither applicants nor objectors can speak at the planning applications committee. However, councillors not members of the committee but who represent the ward where an application is located can attend the meeting and speak briefly on the item.