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 Assistant Director Housing and Built Environment 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 Assistant Director Housing and Built Environment 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.