What we do

Register application

Your application will be checked. If it is incomplete, further information or fee will be requested. If the application is complete it will be registered and an acknowledgement letter sent to you or your agent.

Processing the application

We will consult with other interested organisations and publicise your application in accordance with our publicity code. This may involve a site notice or letters to neighbours (or sometimes both), plus publication on this website. In some cases the application is also published in the local newspaper.

Site visit

We will visit the site to assess the impact of your proposal on your property, neighbouring properties and the surrounding area.

Negotiate amendments if necessary

If, after assessing your proposal, we require some limited amendments to ensure it complies with our policies for development, we will contact you if there is enough time before the application is due to be determined.

Report prepared with recommendation

For most applications, the report and recommendation is considered by a senior planning officer. In certain cases the planning committee will consider the report and recommendations.

Decision

The decision is made by the senior planning officer or the planning committee, as appropriate. A decision notice will be issued to your agent or to you direct if you have no agent. Permission will either be granted, granted with conditions, or refused. If it is refused or there are conditions attached which you do not agree with, you can appeal to the Secretary of State.

Conditions

Some conditions may require further details to be submitted to and agreed by us before you start work.

The planning process

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