How the decision making process works

Most applications have an 8 week target deadline for a decision during which consultations will have been sent out, where required, replies received and the planning officer should have visited the site. Certain larger applications have a 13 or 16 week target date.

Once the planning officer has assessed the application and reached a recommendation, the application is passed through for a decision. Decisions are made either under delegated powers or at Planning Committee. Delegated powers are where designated officers are authorised to make decisions on behalf of the Council. Most decisions regarding planning applications are made under delegated powers.

Applications will be considered at Planning Committee in the following circumstances:

• Five or more letters of objection from different households or businesses are received and the application is recommend for approval;
• A petition which meets the criteria listed below (*) is received and the application is recommend for approval;
• The application is called in by the Chair of the Planning Committee or any member of the Council, with the approval of either the Chair of Planning Committee or the relevant Ward Councillor, within 21 days of the application being registered.

* A petition of objection against the recommendation of the planning officer must be received at least three clear working days before the Planning Committee considering the item is due to sit. Petitions must contain a minimum of ten signatories supporting the motion as set out in the petition. Each page of the petition must clearly state the application to which it is referring and also give the reasons for the objection. Petitions must contain original signatures, photocopies are not accepted.