Planning Applications Committee

Some planning applications are considered by the Planning Applications Committee.

Why applications go to committee

An application will be referred to Planning Applications Committee where officers do not have delegated authority to determine it. 

Some reasons could be:

• The proposal is of a large scale
• It is a departure from the Local Plan
• It has generated considerable third party interest

Monitoring your application

You should monitor the application so you can identify when the application is due to be heard by the committee.

A copy of the report to committee will also be available.

Attending the meeting

You can attend the meeting and listen to the discussion.

You can ask your ward councillors if they are willing to put your point of view to the committee, even if they are not serving on the committee itself.

Committee agendas and minutes are also published online.

Agendas are published one week before the date of a committee meeting. A list of the committee's decisions on planning applications is usually available 3 days after the meeting, with the full minutes available three weeks after the date of the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting

Neither applicants nor objectors can speak at the Planning Applications Committee.

However, councillors who are 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, at the Chairman's discretion.

Lobbying councillors

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.