How to comment on a planning application?

You can tell us what you think about a planning application.  Look at the application and plans before you make your comment.  Comments should be made within 21 days of the date given on your letter of notification.  

Anyone can comment on a planning application.  You do not need to have received a consultation letter to make a comment.  Any comments should be made in writing and must include the date, your name and address, application number and site address, with a clear indication of whether you are in support or object to the application.  They can be made:

Only comments relating to relevant planning issues can be considered, things such as: 

  • overlooking/loss of privacy
  • loss of light or overshadowing
  • parking
  • highway safety
  • traffic
  • noise

Other issues such as the following cannot be considered as valid reasons for objecting to a planning application:

  • private issues between neighbours e.g. land/boundary disputes, damage to property, private rights of way, covenants etc.
  • loss of value of property
  • personal matters relating to the specific applicant

Publishing comments

All comments received in relation to a planning application are public information and will therefore be available for public inspection.  Your signature, email address and telephone number will not be available to view.  

Please be aware that it is your responsibility to ensure that you do not include any offensive, defamatory or discriminatory language in your comments as we will be obliged to pass them onto the relevant authority and you could be held legally responsible for this in the future. Any such comments will not be taken into account in the determination of an application.

What happens after you comment?

We are unable to acknowledge receipt of your comment and we cannot respond to questions raised, as we receive such a high volume of comments but your comments are taken into account if they are relevant planning issues. 

Your comments will form part of the planning officer’s report and may contribute to the overall decision. 

To keep informed of the progress of an application please refer to our website.  Once a decision has been made on an application, it will be possible to view the report prepared by the case officer and the decision notice on the website.  These can be accessed via public access.

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