We deal with most planning applications under delegated powers. Designated Officers consider the recommendations the Case Officer makes, and agree and issue the decision on behalf of the Council.

Planning Board and Area Planning Committees

We refer some applications to either the Planning Board (for major and strategic applications) or one of the Area Planning Committees (for smaller scale schemes where there is local interest). These meetings held in public where members of the Planning Board or Area Planning Committtee make a decision.

Once we set a date, we send an invitation at least five days before the committee meeting to those who have commented on an application. We publish the agenda one week before the meeting.

At the meeting, a planning officer presents the application to the committee members (councillors) and the public. We then invite the agent or applicant to speak and allow local objectors or supporters to speak. The committee members may ask questions at any time.

Councillors who are not members of the committee can also speak, but only under standing orders. They can't vote or influence the decision in any capacity.

The members then discuss whether they will grant planning permission. If the members are not able to make a decision, they may defer the application to the next planning committee.

Find out the dates of the planning meetings

Conditions

Conditions need the submission of further information (submission condition) or for you to use a specific product (compliance condition).

The more information you can provide at the beginning of the application process, the less likely it's that we will impose planning conditions which need you to submit more information.

Discharge of planning conditions

If you need to submit extra information, we call this 'discharging a planning condition'. The wording of the condition explains what you need to provide.

Find out more about the discharge of planning conditions (Planning Portal website)

Informatives

Decision notices often include informatives. These provide extra information you may need to know about, but is not a condition. For example, an informative may provide you with details about how to apply to the Highways team for a dropped curb to your property.

Find out about public health planning informatives and contacts