Find Out More about Your Application

Online

Visit our Online Planning Service to see more about your application, including the case officer's name and the progress of the application. You can also use this service to make comments on other applications. Click the link under Do It, on the right-hand side of this page.

By Post or In Person

Dealing with my application
You can find the case officer's name and contact details on your acknowledgement letter.

Progress of my application
Contact the case officer by telephone, email, or in writing.

Application decision
We will send you a decision notice. This will be either an approval, usually with conditions that must be complied with, or a refusal stating why the application was not accepted. All those who commented on a planning application will also receive a letter notifying them of the decision.

Length of time taken on a planning application decision
We try to give a decision on the majority of planning applications within eight weeks. However, we deal with more than 2,500 applications a year. Some of these applications raise complex issues and regrettably it is not always possible to decide every application within the eight-week period.

You have a right to appeal if your planning application is not decided within eight weeks. Please contact us before appealing.

Ensuring planning application approval
In addition to speaking to a planning officer, you can maximise your chance of success by complying with the council's Unitary Development Plan (UDP). This sets out the policies that apply to your type of application. If you do not comply with the UDP you will need to set out convincing reasons why we should approve your proposals.

For some types of application, the council provides additional help in the form of advisory documents called Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG). Make sure you read the relevant SPG before submitting your application.

Comment on current planning applications
Anyone wishing to comment on or object to a planning application should first look at the relevant drawings and plans. You should then send your comments to the planning office in writing. Please include the address of the property for which the application is being made, the application reference number and your own name and address. If you have received a consultation letter from us, this will normally include the name of the council officer who is dealing with the case.

When making your comments it is important to understand that applications can only be refused for good planning reasons. The council cannot take into account matters such as loss of property value or matters dealt with under Building Regulations.

Third party interest in an planning application
The council usually writes to the occupiers of neighbouring properties, and in some cases to local amenity groups and appropriate statutory bodies, asking for comments. A period of 21 days is allowed for replies. This consultation period starts from the date on the consultation letter and not from the date that the letter arrives.

Please note that planning applications and representations about them are made available for public inspection and also published on the internet (with due regard to the provisions of the Data Protection Act). Full details on the Act can be viewed on the Information Commissioner's Office site; to view this, click the link under Useful Websites on the right.