Step 6 - Decision

The Council cannot decide planning applications simply as it chooses. It is constrained by law and by precedents set in the Courts about the matters it can legitimately take into account when making its decisions.

We operate two levels of decision making when determining planning applications:

Delegated Decisions

Senior planning officers determine most applications under powers delegated to them by the council. The detail of this is set out in the council Constitution. These include matters such as:

Minor residential or commercial applications
Household applications
Listed building applications
Advertisement applications
Applications for works to protected tree.

The decision notice will then normally be dispatched on the same day or the following day.

Planning Committee

The Planning Committee meets on a four weekly cycle. Applications considered are those...

involving major and strategic planning matters, such as housing development and large retail schemes
Applications that raise particularly sensitive issues
Applications that the ward member has requested be considered by the committee

All applications are reported with a recommendation made by the Development Control Manager or Strategic Sites and Design Manager. The members of the Planning Committee can decide to make a different decision or defer the matter for more information or for a site visit. The meetings are open to applicants and members of the public have an opportunity to speak on applications being considered by that Committee.

Planning committee agendas, reports and minutes are available on the planning committee page.

You can check on progress of an application by using our Application Search. You can keep up to date with applications by our "Applications near me" service.

What happens after a decision is made?

We will normally issue a delegated decision on the day it is made and email a copy to you or your agent if you have used one. Planning committee decisions are usually issued as soon as possible after the committee unless the committee has decided that other things need to be completed first, such as any agreements under s106 of the planning act. We will also notify all those people who contacted us about the application.

If your application is refused and you do not believe the decision was correct then you do have the right right to appeal.

Appeals are handled by the Planning Inspectorate, an independent government body. It is recommended that you seek professional advice before deciding whether to appeal as this can be an expensive and lengthy process