Influencing planning decisions
Development control is the process by which your local Authority will decide whether or not to give planning permission for a development.
The planning process for development control
Anyone may make a planning application. That application is then advertised by posting notices on site, by publication in the ‘Public Notices' of local newspapers, on the Authority's own website and through consultations with neighbours, government bodies and local organisations such as the Town or Parish Council.
All documents relating to a planning application are usually available on the internet through the local Authorities website. This will include any letter you contribute to a case and the response of the local Authority.
Development control decisions are mostly made through powers delegated by elected councillors to the Head of Planning. With delegated decisions the officers of the authority will look at the application, look at all the available evidence and make a judgement using their planning policies. These applications are generally small to medium scale proposals which do not conflict with council policies and which have generated few objections.
When proposals are large scale or raise important policy issues or have a significant number of objections then decisions are made by your local Authority Councillors. The Councillors sit as a Development Control Committee to debate the merits of an application and then make a decision. These Committees may sit as often as once a month. Anyone can attend the Committees and in some circumstances members of the public are allowed to address the Committee before they make a decision. Details of the Committees are published on the local Authorities' websites.
If a planning application is refused the applicant has a right to appeal against that decision. An applicant can also appeal if they think the council have put unreasonable conditions on a planning permission. This appeal is heard by an independent inspector who will also hear evidence from the local Authority and other interested parties including local people.
What we do
The Wildlife Trust monitors planning applications and looks for proposals that may have an impact on wildlife. This usually means looking at development in or near places of particular importance to wildlife. We look at individual schemes and also the cumulative effects of many small schemes.
In some cases we ask the local Authority to consult us. In many other cases the local Authority seek our advice as they recognise we hold a great deal of local environmental knowledge and know how to set out evidence in a way that is meaningful to planners.
Each year we comment on over 100 planning applications through our Senior Planning Officer and Assistant Planning Officer. In common with everyone else's representations the advice of the Trust is a matter of record and may appear on the local Authority's website.
On occasion the Trust will appear at an appeal against a planning decision and will provide an expert to give evidence and advice to an inspector on environmental matters.
The Trust believes that in addition to defending wildlife we also need to restore and rebuild the natural environment from the losses it has suffered and continues to suffer from. One of the ways of doing this is through biodiversity enhancements as part of new developments. Where they do not conflict with the protection of existing wildlife the Trust will work with developers and councils to achieve these enhancements. Testwood Lakes wildlife reserve is one such example where biodiversity enhancements have been achieved. Following minerals extraction, this site was restored with the advice of the Trust and has now developed into a wildlife rich area.
What you can do
Everybody has a right to comment on a planning application. You will need to put your representation in writing. The planning office of your local Authority can advise you on how best to set out your point of view.
The views of local organisations, such as Town and Parish Councils, are very important to planning authorities. Similarly your City or District Councillor has an important role in the process. Do talk to your Councillors so they understand your views.
Alternatively you can support organisations such as the Wildlife Trust who are familiar with how best to be a voice for the local environment.
