Before you make a comment please see our guide to commenting, explaining the kind of comments we can consider:
- your comments must be made via the online register or in writing
- if you are making a representation (comment), you will need to provide your name, address, and email (if applicable) to us. Comments received without a name and address will be treated as anonymous. Anonymous comments will not be accepted, and your views will not be considered, you will also not be updated if the application was to go to committee or appeal. We also do not accept comments received via social media or by video
- please state clearly whether you are supporting, objecting to, or making general comments about the application
- by submitting comments you are agreeing that you will adhere to our terms and conditions of use. Please note that any comments received by the council will be published on our website. In the event of an appeal, a copy of the comments will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate. If the application type is householder or an application for advertisement consent, there will be no opportunity for you to comment as part of the appeals process
- you must ensure that your comments are not offensive, harmful or of a personal nature. The council will not accept any responsibility for the contents of any response received. It reserves the right to decline any comments containing defamatory, abusive, or malicious allegations and to not display certain documentation for confidentiality or other reasons
- in accordance with national legislation and guidance, the comments we receive about planning applications, including names and addresses will be made publicly available. Any comments submitted via our online system are automatically published. For comments submitted in writing, we will make reasonable efforts to remove certain personal details such as telephone numbers, email addresses and signatures prior to information appearing online and recommend you avoid disclosing information of a sensitive nature when submitting your comments
- we will not acknowledge your individual comments. Please check the website for your comments as confirmation that they have been received
- all correspondence received in connection with an application will be passed to the case officer for the application
For more information about how we process personal data, please see Planning privacy notice.
Questions and Answers
Why isn't my comment on the website?
The quickest and most convenient way to comment on a planning application is to comment via the online register. Comments on applications can also be made in writing. Comments received via post will take longer to process. Please allow up to 5 working day for your comments to be displayed on our website.
How will the application be decided?
Many decisions are made by council officers using delegated powers. Other decisions are decided by Planning Committee. We will publish all decisions on the planning applications on our website. The reasons for the decision and relevant planning issues are included in the officer’s report which will also be on our website.
Can I appeal the decision?
Only the applicant can make an appeal against refused planning permission or imposed conditions. Neighbours and other third parties have no right of appeal. However, if a third party considers that the planning permission was granted unlawfully, and due procedure was not followed they can challenge the decision through a judicial review in court. The judicial review process can only consider the lawfulness of the procedure that the council took in coming to the decision to grant planning permission, it is not to consider the planning merits of the case.
A judicial review must be logged within 6 weeks of a date where a challengeable ground arises; this is generally the decision notice date for a planning decision but is not always the case. Anyone considering a judicial review would be advised to seek independent legal advice.