How are planning applications decided?
Most applications are decided by senior planning officers, usually the Development Control Manager, who heads the Development Control Service.
Proposals which are of a major or contentious nature or where our officers recommend approval despite substantial objections from the public, the applications are reported in writing to the Council's Development Control Committee, which meets every three weeks at the Town Hall and is made up of elected Councillors.
Please use this link to
view a full list of council meetings including dates for the Development Control Committee.
If planning permission is granted, it will usually have conditions applied, such as requiring a landscaping scheme or building materials to be agreed.
If planning permission is refused, the Council has to set out its reasons why.
The conditions or reasons are set out in the planning decision notice that is sent to the applicant within one working day of the decision. Anyone who has written to us about an application will get a letter from us telling them details of the decision.