PLANNING APPLICATION: STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS
STEP 1 THE SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION
The submission is made through the Planning Portal which sets out the required documents and the correct fees. Once submitted, applications are checked by the registration team to ensure all documents and fees required are correct.
STEP 2 CONSULTATION AND PUBLICITY
Once the application is approved and in the system, consultation letters are sent to neighbours and various internal departments and outside bodies in relation to specific issues like drainage, highways, trees, ecology, and so on. Advertisements are placed in the appropriate local paper and on site. All the submissions are public documents available online.
The consultations period is 21 days.
STEP 3 SITE VISIT AND ASSESSMENT
The site is inspected and the application assessed by the planning case officer, taking into account planning policies, consultation responses and public representations. The planning officer is permitted to enter sites and take photographs.
STEP 4 THE RECOMMENDATION
The planning officer will make a recommendation, via the ‘officer’s report’ on the application to the person or body authorised to make a decision. Case officers do not make the final decision on applications. The officer’s report will include all of the relevant facts relating to the application in order to inform either the head of the planning department or the Planning Committee.
STEP 5 THE DECISION: APPROVED OR REFUSED
With most householder applications senior officers, who have authority from the Planning Committee, make the decision under what’s known as ‘delegated powers’. This means that they can make the decision without going to the relevant committee, speeding the process up. Around 95% of householder applications are decided this way. Applications can be approved or refused.
STEP 6 IF THERE’S A REFUSAL
If your application is refused and you do not believe the decision was correct then you do have the right to appeal. Going to appeal can be expensive and it is always a lengthy process.