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The planning process

 
Planning staff should acknowledge your application within a few days.

We will place it on the Planning Register so that it can be inspected by the public. We will notify your neighbours or put up a notice on or near the site.

Major applications and applications in Conservation Areas are also advertised in the local Mercury newspaper to invite comments.

Have your say

Who decides?

The Chief Planning Officer or Head of Development will decide whether or not to grant your application in the majority of cases.
The application is passed to the relevant area planning committee, which will make the decision, if:

  • there are two or more objections, and

  • the recommendation is to approve.
For developments that are of strategic importance, the Planning Board will decide on the application.

How long does it take?

The Council should decide your application within eight weeks. Large or complex applications may take longer. The Council grants or refuses planning permission by sending you a notification letter.

What is considered?

The councillors or council officers who decide your application must consider whether there are any good planning reasons for refusing permission or for granting permission subject to conditions. They cannot reject a proposal simply because many people oppose it.

Considerations include:

  • potential traffic problems

  • the effect on local amenities

  • the impact the proposal may have on the appearance of the area.
By contrast, moral issues, the personal circumstances of the applicant or the effect the development might have on nearby property prices are not relevant.

However, the Council will exercise reasonable discretion in relaxing planning policy to allow a person with disability to extend his or her home.

What papers can I see?

You are entitled to see and have a copy of any report submitted to a Council committee. You are also entitled to see background papers used in the preparation of reports. Such material should normally be made available at least five working days before the committee meeting.

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