What happens when I comment on a planning application?

Planning officers will consider your comment in the overall assessment of the application as to whether:

• the application should be recommended for approval as it stands
• it needs to be amended
• it should be refused

Most planning applications are dealt with at officer level under a scheme of delegation. In this circumstance the application will not be reported to the Development Control Committee for decision.

In certain circumstances the application will be decided by the Development Control Committee. Comments received are summarised in a report when the application is presented.

Yes. The agenda and reports will be available at the Civic Offices and online at www.basingstoke.gov.uk five working days before the meeting. An additional paper (the update), containing information received after the reports have been written, will be circulated at the meeting.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s public participation scheme for planning applications allows for speaking about a planning application if the application is to be decided by the Development Control Committee. If you want to speak at committee you must have made written comments to the council and registered to speak on the application. If you require any further information contact the Planning Development Support team on 01256 844844 or email development.control@basingstoke.gov.uk.

No. Members of the public can only speak if they have commented in writing to an application and registered to speak.

• Parish or town council – four minutes per site/application*
• Those objecting – four minutes per site/application*
• Those supporting (including applicant) – four minutes per site/application*

If there is more than one application for the same site, the chair will decide whether they will be taken together and only four minutes may be allowed for speaking.

The time limit is the same and those registered will be encouraged to present a joint submission or appoint a spokesperson as this is often the most effective use of the time available. In order to agree the best approach speakers may contact the council for details of others wishing to speak. In some cases the parish or town council or a residents’ association may be willing to represent supporters or objectors.

A time limit is set for speakers as the council needs to strike a balance between providing the opportunity for people to be heard and also ensuring that applications are dealt with efficiently.

The committee may only consider relevant planning issues. Please limit comments to issues such as:

• appearance and character of development
• traffic generation, highway safety and parking
• overshadowing, overlooking and loss of privacy
• noise, disturbance or other loss of amenities
• layout and density of buildings
• relevant planning policies.

Issues that cannot be considered by the committee are:

• boundary disputes, covenants or other property rights
• personal remarks, for example, the applicant’s motives
• reduction in property values
• loss of private view over the land.

There will not be an opportunity for you to display maps or photographs or to ask questions to others at the meeting.

If you would like to check what issues are relevant, please contact the planning case officer.

Applications are dealt with by the Development Control Committee, which normally meets once every four weeks on a Wednesday at 6.30pm. Meetings are held in Deanes, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke.

Directions to the meeting room will be given in the reception area. There is disabled access. Car parking is available on site.

The committee is made up of councillors. Council officers attend to advise the committee and make a formal record of the meeting. Other councillors may be present to speak on applications within their ward, but they cannot vote. Any member of the public or applicant may attend to listen to the debate and the media is usually present.

Space is limited within the committee room for the public to 70 spaces. Therefore you may wish to follow the committee meeting live via webcam and this can be done through the council’s website. An archive of previous meetings is also available at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/committeemeetings

The order printed on the agenda for the meeting is normally followed. Major applications are dealt with first, with other applications following in numerical order.

• The chair will announce the application
• A planning officer will give a short introduction
• The chair will invite the parish or town council representative to speak
• The chair will invite objectors to speak
• The chair will then invite supporters (including the applicant or agent to respond)
• The committee members may ask questions of the speakers and seek clarification of particular points from officers.

The committee will then discuss the application and make a decision. This may be to:

• approve the application
• refuse the application
• defer consideration for further information or amendments, or for a site visit by a panel of councillors (the viewing panel)

Prior to the committee meeting the councillors are invited to request site visits of the viewing panel giving reasons as to why a site visit would be beneficial. These site visits take place before the committee meeting. It is also possible that at the meeting the committee will decide to defer an item for a site visit. If this happens, and public speaking has taken place, you will not be invited to speak when the application is re-considered by the Development Control Committee.

No, the viewing panel visit is private and its purpose is to observe characteristics of a site and its relationship to the surroundings. Representations on the merits of the application will not be discussed.

The committee can disagree with the officer’s recommendation and would give reasons for doing so.

The applicant or agent will be sent the notice of decision. Objectors and supporters will be sent a letter outlining the decision. Where an application has been refused, the applicant can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. You will be advised of any such appeal, your original comments will be forwarded to the inspectorate and you will be asked for any further comments. Where an application has been granted, there is no opportunity for objectors to appeal. For more information or a copy of this leaflet in large print format, contact the Planning Development Support team on 01256 844844.