A Farmer's Guide to the Planning System - ARCHIVE: Defra

AFTER THE APPLICATION
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
5.1 Once you have submitted your application and the correct fee, the local planning
authority will send you an acknowledgement. It will place a copy of the application in the
Planning Register at the council offices, where it is available for public inspection.
5.2 The authority will also publicise your application, so that members of the public can
express views. The authority may notify any of your neighbours by letter, or will fix a notice
about your application at or near the site, and may also place a notice in a local newspaper. The
authority may notify the relevant parish or town council, and may consult with other bodies,
such as the county council, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (which has overall
responsibility for the planning system), and the Environment Agency, depending on the nature
or implications of your proposals.
5.3 Anyone has the right to express views on your application, either for or against.
The local planning authority will assess the relevance of comments received and whether any
objections relating to the use and development of land can be overcome. It may go back to
objectors to discuss ways of getting round any problems. It may also get in touch with you,
suggesting minor amendments to your application to resolve difficulties. Finally, all the
information will be put together and a report submitted to the planning committee (which is
made up of elected councillors), or to the senior officer in the planning department making the
decision.
PROGRESS OF YOUR APPLICATION
5.4 If your application is to go to the planning committee for decision, staff at the local
authority’s planning department will be able to tell you when your case is scheduled to be
discussed. You have the right to attend the council meeting deciding your application. Some
planning authorities also allow applicants to speak in support of their application at the meeting.
Ask your authority if it will permit you to speak and, if it does, what rules and arrangements
apply. If you have not already done so, you may wish to explain your proposals to your elected
local councillor in advance of the council meeting which will decide on your application. Even if
your councillor is not a member of the planning committee, they can put your points to those
councillors who are.
5.5 Alternatively, your application may be decided by planning officers under powers
delegated to them by councillors. In that case you will not have to wait for a council meeting.
This does not prevent you making representations to elected councillors if you wish.
5.6 You are generally entitled to see and have a copy of any report submitted to a local
government committee. You are also entitled to see certain background papers used in the
preparation of reports. The background papers will generally include the comments (perhaps in
summary form) of those bodies that the planning authority has consulted, as well as those from
any objectors and supporters that are relevant to the determination of your application. Such
material should normally be made available at least three working days before the committee
meeting.
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