8 steps to pulling your weight on Local Planning

Most significant developments in the UK require planning permission from a local planning authority.

This process usually involves the submission of a planning application. As a member of the public, you are entitled to examine and comment on planning applications as they are made. This is your chance to press for planning decisions that work for the good of the environment and your local community.

Roughly 650,00-7000,000 are submitted every year.

The planning system exists to ensure that the public interest is taken into account whenever a new development is proposed, and that new development does not harm the environment.

If you hear of a planning application that interests you and you want to check what's going on, you can take simple steps to find out more and - if necessary - challenge the proposed development.

1. Look at the planning authority by visiting your local authority website
2. Visit the site of the proposed development to assess its likely effects
3. Come to a view on whether the proposal will affect your interest in the local area
4. Examine your Development Plan. Consider whether the poloicies in the Plan could be used to support your view.
5. Decide on your action: should you ignore, support or oppose the application? in part or completely?
6. Put your comments in writing and send the letter to the planning authority before the deadline
7. Gather support for your views from officers and councillors of the planning authority; among local people and local organisations; from other agencies with an interest in the proposal; and, if appropriate, through the media and from your MP
8. Speak at Planning (or Development Control) meetings where decisions are taken by councillors

Reproduced with permission from CPRE Derbyshire's 2010 newsletter.

Fiona Cowan
4 May 2010