Processing an Application

Receipt and Validation

Applications are initially checked by a planning officer to confirm all the necessary information is included on which to make a decision. An acknowledgment will be issued or additional information requested.  We aim to formally confirm receipt of applications within 10 working days.

Once an application has been agreed as valid details of all valid applications received by the council are published on our website, and a specific case officer will be allocated who will deal with the application throughout.

Consultation

The council is required to undertake extensive consultation on planning applications including other Council departments, (such as Highways, Environmental Health), Statutory Bodies (English Heritage, Environment Agency), local residents and Amenity Societies.

You can submit comments on an application online via the search applications database.

Report and Recommendation

Senior officers have the power to make 'delegated' decisions on smaller / non-contentious applications. However, many proposals will be reported to the planning committee, where the Director will normally recommend a decision on an application. The Agendas for committees are published in advance and the meetings are open to the public to attend.

Decision

Once a decision has been made, a formal decision letter will be issued to the applicant. In most cases where permission is granted, the decision letter will detail conditions that apply. A reason will be given for each condition. Where appropriate, reasons for refusing an application will be given. We aim to publish decision notices on our website within 10 days of a decision being issued.