The Planning Process
Validation
Once you have submitted your planning application, the council should acknowledge receipt within five working days. Your application will be checked to make sure that all the required documentation and plans are present and the correct fee has been submitted. If anything is missing, the council will contact you to request the required information before your application can be validated and registered.
If you have appointed an agent all communications will go through them. You have the option of appointing HandyPlan to act as your agent and submit your application on your behalf. Please let us know if this something you would like to consider.
Registration
The application is entered into the registration of applications. When this has been done you/your agent will receive an acknowledgement letter. This letter will provide the name of the case officer dealing with your application, the application reference number and the date by which a decision should be received on the application.
Consultation
Details of your application will be published. This is done so that local people are made aware of your building proposals. It also provides an opportunity for people to comment on how they think the proposed development might affect them or the character of the area. This publicity can take the form of letters, planning lists, site notices, adverts in the local press and online. Consultations will also take place with the statutory agencies, utility companies and other council departments.
Decision
As a general guideline, the council should come to a decision regarding your application within eight weeks. If it cannot do so, it will usually seek your written consent to extend the period. If you haven’t heard from the council after the eight week period, you can appeal to the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. It is worth noting that appeals can take several months and it may be quicker and easier to reach agreement directly with the council.
Refusal of permission
If the council refuse planning permission or impose conditions, then they are obliged to tell you why. Council staff will be happy to explain these reasons or conditions if they are not clear. It is probably worth asking the council whether making changes to your plan will affect the outcome of the application.
Appeals
If you think your application has been unfairly treated by the council, you can make an appeal to the Secretary of State. Any appeals must be made within six months of the date of the council's notice of decision.
