How Planning works
The Borough Council is the Local Planning Authority, which makes decisions on all applications submitted. The Borough website has details of all applications, and you can register to receive applications near to you: Borough Planning pages. Members of the Public are encouraged to comment on applications which may affect them.
The Parish Council is consulted on all applications within the Parish boundary. This is as a consultee – we do not make decisions, but can recommend points for consideration. Our responses are normally one of three: Object (for which we have to give reasons), No Objection (where we have no real concerns) or Support (where we wish actively to support an application, again usually giving reasons).
Officers at the Borough decide most things under powers delegated to them, but, if a Parish objects, it then goes to a panel of Cllrs. This group determine if the objection is a material one (see below) and whether it should go to the full Planning Committee for their consideration. There is, beyond this an Appeal process where applicants whose proposals are turned down can pursue a final decision by the Planning Inspectorate.
Most applications are considered by the Parish Council at its public monthly meetings. However, there are occasions when the timescale for applications requires a response between such meetings, and, in these cases, Council has agreed to form an opinion in a Zoom meeting, delegating the Clerk to respond in line with views expressed – such decisions are recorded in the minutes of the following meeting. Members of the Public are welcome to make representations to Council on applications currently under consideration, but are urged to do so promptly.
Finally, it is important to note that there are a limited range of “material planning considerations” which can be the basis for objections. There are also local and national policies which can be referred to. This document was recently prepared for our Cllrs, and may be of use – it summarises all of the relevant information: Quick Guide to Planning.
Local Plan
The Borough is in the process of producing its next Local Development Plan. This is a very complicated procedure, and involves full public consultation at each stage.
A complete description of this is available on the Borough Planning pages. In addition there is (August 2024) a summary of further changes on which consultation is taking place until October.
Given the complexity of this whole area, and the number of documents, it is possible that Council may miss things. Although at first reading there does not appear to be an impact on the Parish, if you do spot anything and comment to the Borough, Council would be grateful if you could copy the Clerk in on anything you do contribute.
Enforcement
Planning permission, or advice, should always be sought before works are begun – it may be that in some cases (“permitted development”) it is not needed, but it is always best to check.
In some cases retrospective permission is sought – this is something which greatly concerns Council, as it can appear to be a way around the process.
Should breaches occur, this is a case for Enforcement, a separate section of the Planning Department at the Borough. All information is best accessed from their site, and they should be contacted directly if you have concerns, though it can be useful to copy the Parish Council in for information. Borough Enforcement page – external site
You will understand that Council is reluctant to “take sides” in such cases, as they can often involve disputes between neighbours.
