Planning Applications
In July 2005, Steve Clark, head of planning, responded to a residents association giving advice on how to represent your views. This is good advice and we suggest people who wish to comment or oppose an application should follow these guidelines:
Resident's views on applications are a material consideration, but have less weight than compliance with UDP policies, which is the main determinant.   Thus if residents want to have a major influence on how their area looks, they will need to get involved in the development plan process.   Our UDP is eventually to be replaced by something called an LDF and there is to be a major consultation on it in the autumn of 2005.  However, it will take some time before it replaces the UDP, and the final decision will be taken by a Government Inspector, rather than the Council (as it was for the UDP).   Hence it remains to be seen whether local communities can have a major influence on their built environment.
Whilst residents views have only limited influence on decisions on applications, there are ways of maximising that influence, viz:
(i)   concentrate on issues where you think the UDP is not being complied with.  
(ii)  avoid objecting to everything (you will have no influence with the Committee if you oppose all applications).  
(iii) avoid raising non-planning issues, such as property values, personal circumstances etc.
(iv)  if possible suggest how concerns could be overcome, such as by the imposition of a condition.  
As you will have noticed when attending Committee, virtually everything is opposed these days, yet Members know they've got to approve most applications, so even the way objections are presented can help.