How your application will be processed
Once we are in receipt of a valid planning application an acknowledgement letter will be sent. The letter will include a reference number, the date by which we should make a decision and details of the assigned case officer.
If you are using an agent, we will communicate with them about your application. You will not be contacted if you have an agent. The planning case officer will conduct a site visit and review the plans and submitted documents.
Monitor the progress of your application online
Who will know about your application
Your application will be advertised in accordance with our Statement of Community Involvement. We will inform neighbours who we think may be affected by your application and will give them 21 days to make comments.
It is always a good idea to advise your neighbours of your plans before you make an application. For some applications we may ask other council departments and external bodies for their views, such as the Environment Agency or English Heritage.
Details of your application will be published online.
View a planning application online
How long it will take
We aim to deal with the majority of householder and other small-scale applications within eight weeks (in accordance with statutory time limits).
Larger and more complicated applications will take longer (a 13 week statutory time limit applies).
We will inform you as soon as possible if there are issues with your application which are capable of resolution.
Amendments
All planning application proposals should be designed to comply with policies of the statutory development plan and relevant supplementary planning documents. Read these documents carefully and ensure that your proposal complies with the policies and guidance.
Where a submitted application does not comply with the policies and guidance, your planning application will normally be refused.
In some circumstances, we may contact you or your agent (your agent will be contacted if you have appointed one) to ask for an amendment. However this is only where we are satisfied that such an amendment is minor and it can be dealt with within the scope of this application.
Submitted amendments must align with those discussed and agreed with the case officer as applications should only be amended once.
If your amendment is not received within the identified timeframe or does not address the issues raised, then the decision will be made on the original application submission. Your application is likely to be refused.
Further guidance on the application process can be found within the consultation and pre-decision matters guidance on GOV.UK.