Planning committee

The planning committee comprises 19 councillors and operates on a three-week cycle.

The functions of the committee are to determine the following planning applications:

• The application has been called in for committee determination by the relevant ward member in accordance with the redirection procedure
• The application is submitted by the council, by others on council land or by or on behalf of an organisation or other partnership of which the council is a member or has a material interest, and where objections on material planning considerations have been received, or where the proposal is contrary to adopted planning policy
• The application is submitted by a council member or a close family member such that a council member has a material interest in the application
• The application is submitted by a council officer who holds a politically restricted post and/or is employed in the planning and transportation service, or by a close family member such that the council officer has a material interest in the application
• The application, in the view of the assistant director environment, planning and waste, raises issues around the consistency of the proposal, if approved, with the adopted development plan
• The application, in the reasonable opinion of the assistant director environment, planning and waste, raises issues of a significant and/or strategic nature that a planning committee determination of the matter would represent the most appropriate course of action, or
• In any other circumstances where the assistant director environment, planning and waste believes the application is such that it requires a decision by the planning committee.

The meetings are open to the public. View planning committee dates, agendas and minutes

The planning committee has extended public involvement in the planning application process by allowing public speaking at meetings. Provided certain conditions are met, those who made representations, the parish council and the applicant (or agent), can address the committee. Details of the operation of the scheme and conditions are available in the resources box.