Changes to planning committee referrals from 31 October

Under the new National Scheme of Delegation, smaller planning applications, including householder applications and minor developments, must be decided by planning officers and can no longer be referred to theDevelopment Management Committee. 

For larger applications, a new process will apply. Councillors will still be able to request that some applications are considered by committee but requests must meet specific planning criteria set out in national regulations. 

Cllr Tim Copsey, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning said: “These changes are being introduced through new national regulations and are not changes the Council has chosen to make. While we must comply with the new requirements, they will reduce the range of planning applications that can be considered by the Development Management Committee and limit the circumstances in which councillors can ask for applications to be determined in public by committee. We recognise the Government's desire for a more consistent national approach but we are concerned that the new arrangements will diminish local democratic involvement in planning decisions that matter to our communities.” 

The way planning applications are assessed will not change. All applications will continue to be considered against planning policies, material planning considerations and comments received from residents and consultees.