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.

The decision

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.

Planning Committee

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

• The application has attracted five or more written representations from different households or businesses on planning grounds or a petition as defined in Standing Orders and the written representations or petition are contrary to the Officers recommendation, or
• The Chair of the Planning Committee has referred any application to the Planning Committee within 21 days after validation of an application or 21 days after the date of any advert placed in the press whichever is the later giving clear planning reasons in writing for the referral, or
• Any Member of the Council with the consent of the Chair or a Ward Councillor, has given written notice to the Head of Strategic Programmes within 21 days after validation of an application or 21 days after the date of any advert placed in the press whichever is the later requiring that application to be considered by the Planning Committee, giving  clear planning reasons for the referral, or
• The application relates to or affects Council owned land and the application is submitted by or on behalf of the Council, or
• The application is submitted by, or on behalf of, a serving Councillor or Officer of the Council where the officer is employed in a politically restricted post and/or within the Council's planning service, or
• The Planning Committee otherwise direct in respect of any particular application or reserved matter, or
• The Head of Strategic Programmes has referred an application or matter to the Planning Committee within 21 days after validation of an application or 21 days after the date of any advert placed in the press whichever is the later giving clear planning reasons for the referral,or
• The application relates to or affects Foreshore Trust land and the application is submitted by or on behalf of the Foreshore Trust.

National Scheme of Delegation update

From 31 October 2026, the Government is introducing a National Scheme of Delegation for planning applications. This sets national rules for which applications must be decided by planning officers and which may be considered by Planning Committee.

Most planning applications will continue to be assessed carefully by planning officers. Only a smaller number of applications may be considered by Planning Committee, and only where the national rules allow this.

When can an application go to Planning Committee after 31 October 2026?

A planning application may be considered by Planning Committee only where the relevant national requirements are met.

Nominated officer and member

At Hastings Borough Council the nominated officer authorised to act is the Head of Planning and the nominated member is the Chair of Planning Committee. Arrangements are in place for other officers or members to act where necessary, such as where the nominated officer or nominated member is unavailable or unable to act.

The gateway test for Schedule 2 applications

For a Schedule 2 application to be referred to Planning Committee, both of the following must apply:

• the application raises an economic, social or environmental issue of significance to the local area, or a significant planning matter having regard to the development plan and any other material considerations; and

• the nominated officer and nominated member agree that the application should be referred to Planning Committee.

Important - If the gateway test is not met, or if the nominated officer and nominated member do not agree that referral is appropriate, the application must be determined by officers.

What this means for residents and applicants

• You can still comment on planning applications in the usual way.
• All relevant planning comments will be taken into account when the application is assessed.
• The number of objections, by itself, will no longer decide whether an application goes to Planning Committee.
• Councillor call-in will no longer be a formal route to Planning Committee.
• The decision on whether a Schedule 2 application should be considered by Planning Committee must follow the national gateway test.

Outline and Reserved Matters applications

• Outline applications for minor development fall within Schedule 1. Outline applications for major development fall within Schedule 2.
• Reserved Matters applications relating to outline permissions for 500 dwellings or less, or 50,000 sq metres of floorspace or less, fall within Schedule 1 and must be determined by officers.
• Reserved Matters applications relating to outline permissions for more than 500 dwellings, or more than 50,000 sq metres of floorspace, fall within Schedule 2 and may only be referred to Planning Committee if the gateway test is met and referral is agreed.

Section 106 planning obligations

Requests to modify or discharge planning obligations generally follow the same Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 route as the related planning application. 

Examples of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 application types

The lists below are examples only and are intended as a general guide.

Schedule 1 exceptions

Some applications that would otherwise fall within Schedule 1 are treated as Schedule 2. This includes applications that are:

• connected to a listed building consent;
• submitted under section 73A as retrospective applications; or
• submitted by the Council, a Councillor, an officer, or a Council-owned/controlled body or interest.

Further information

More detailed guidance can be found on the government's website.