PROCESSING A PLANNING APPLICATION

How does the Council process Planning Applications?

All applications go through a common process as follows:-

Validation/registration;
Consultation with key agencies (eg Southern Water), local residents and Parish / Town Councils;
Site inspection by case officer;
Assessment of all relevant considerations;
Formulation of recommendation;
Decision – either by senior officers under delegated powers or, in the case of major proposals, by the Development Control Committee;
Despatch of Decision Notice.

For the majority of planning applications the Council is expected to determine such proposals in eight weeks or less.

In the context of the above, and as an indication of timetables, the following would be the case on a typical minor commercial application:

What happens after a decision is made?

If an application is approved:

The applicant needs to submit the relevant information to meet the requirements of any Planning condition imposed on the consent (eg brick samples, details of landscaping etc)
The applicant can appeal against the imposition of any condition with which they are uncomfortable
The applicant has (usually) five years in which to commence the development. Impending legislation will change this to three years.
Am application should be submitted for Building Regulation Approval. Such applications are not subject to public consultation.
Works begin on site, or the application lapses if works do not commence in the specified time period.

If an application is refused:

No further work is undertaken on the proposal; or
The applicant appeals against the refusal of permission and the Planning Inspectorate determines the appeal. In these circumstances the Inspector either:

Dismisses the appeal (agrees with the Council that the application should be refused); or
Allows the appeal (grants Planning Permission).

There is no right of appeal for people and organisations who have objected to a proposal which is approved.

Page last updated on: 25/05/2005