The process that the Council will follow

Planning staff at the council should acknowledge your application within a few days. They will place it on the Planning Register at the council offices so that it can be inspected by any interested member of the public. They will also either notify your neighbours or put up a notice on or near the site. In certain cases, applications are also advertised in a local newspaper. This gives the public the opportunity to express views. The parish, town or community council will usually be notified, other bodies such as the county council, the Environment Agency and the relevant Government Office for the region may also need to be consulted.

Anyone can comment on your proposals. Your local council will assess the relevance of comments and, in the light of them, may suggest minor changes to the application to overcome any difficulties.

The planning department may prepare a report for the planning committee, which is made up of elected councillors. Or the council may give a senior officer in the planning department the responsibility for deciding your application on its behalf.

You are generally entitled to see and have a copy of any report submitted to a local government committee. You are also entitled to see certain background papers used in the preparation of reports. The background papers will generally include the comments of consultees, objectors and supporters which are relevant to the determination of your application. Such material should normally be made available at least three working days before the committee meeting.

The council grants/refuses planning permission by sending you a letter notifying you of its decision.