A Guide to Commenting on Planning Applications

We encourage residents to participate in the planning process whether you are in support of, or opposed to, an application.  

If you chose to submit a representation, your name and address will be made public, but your phone number and email address will not.  

Please do not include any personal details in your comment.

Please make sure your comment relates solely to planning matters, is relevant and is not defamatory or offensive as you are personally and legally responsible for what you write.

It is not a legal requirement to publish third party comments online, and if it is considered appropriate to do so, the Local Planning Authority reserves the right not to publish comments made by third parties.  

What we cannot consider

• private issues between neighbours e.g. land/boundary disputes, damage to property, private rights of way and covenants.
• loss of view
• loss of property value
• hours of work during construction

Due to the larger number of responses received, it is not possible to respond personally to any matters, or questions, raised.   Your comment will be summarised in the officer’s report, and any relevant matters will be addressed in the appraisal.

What we can consider

We have a statutory duty to consider the provisions of the Local Plan and any other material planning considerations.

Some examples include (the list is not exhaustive):

• local, strategic, regional and national planning policies
• design, visual appearance and materials
• traffic, parking, or access problems
• layout and density of buildings
• loss of privacy
• noise & disturbance

An application can only be refused for planning reasons and not because of the number of objections.

Appealing a Planning Decision

If the council refuses planning permission the process does not necessarily stop as the applicant has a right to lodge an appeal against the refusal of planning permission.

As the law stands there is no right of appeal for objectors.

Applications Following a Planning Enforcement Investigation

If you have submitted a planning enforcement complaint, and as a result, the Council has received a planning application to address a breach of planning control, your objection to, or comment on, the merits of the case will not be automatically transferred to the planning application and should you wish to comment, you must make separate representation on the application.

Further guidance and information can be found via the following link.

View Planning Applications and Comment