Step 4 – the decision

An application is usually decided by the local council planning committee within eight weeks. For applications considered to have major environmental impacts and which require environmental impact assessment (EIA), the period of determination is 16 weeks.

Usually, the most important thing in reaching a decision is what the local develop­ment policy states. The final decision of the planning committee should be a weighing-up of everything material to the case. This will involve a mixture of factual/technical information on local and national policy imperatives and local political views.

• Most local councils allow people to speak at the planning committee where the decision is made so find this out early
• You would usually be allowed about three minutes. Be sure to co-ordinate with the other objectors that may be speaking and tackle the different key arguments between you. Make sure you prepare well and practice your talk  
• The developer will also have an opportunity to preset their reasons for why the proposal should be granted
• The planning committee will discuss the merits of the case and may ask questions for clarification to the council planning officers. (The committee will not question the presenters.)

If the council is minded to refuse planning permission, they will seek to understand the likelihood of the application being successful at appeal.  In this case the refusal reasons will need to be carefully articulated to limit the opportunity of success at appeal.

Their decision will either approve the planning application (but may place conditions on the development), defer if there is a need for more information, or to refuse the application.

By Geoff James

Using your rights in local planning applications

Cont..

Disclaimer

The information and opinions within this site are for information purposes only. They are not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice, and should not be relied on or treated as a substitute for specific advice relevant to particular circumstances. Local Planning Apps shall accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misleading statements on this site or for any loss which may arise from reliance on information contained within this site. No mention of any products, shall imply any approval or warranty as to the standing and capability of any such products on the part of Local Planning Apps or its clients.

© Copyright Geoff James 2016

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