Commenting on a planning application

View and comment/object

Use the planning application search to find and comment on or make an objection to a planning application.

Recent applications can also be downloaded in a weekly list of Planning applications and decisions. 

Applications can also be viewed online at your local Planning and Building Standards office. You can also write or email your comments to these offices.

You must make your comments within three weeks of the application being submitted. Remember your comments are made public.

Only include valid planning issues

We can only deal with comments about valid planning issues. Some examples of these are:

  • planning policies
  • appearance (design, materials)
  • traffic, access
  • parking
  • effect on residential amenity (noise, smell, overlooking)
  • drainage
  • infrastructure
  • impact on the natural or built environment

What happens after comments are made?

After we get your comments we will add them to a report about the application. Amongst other things, the report will set out the planning policies that are relevant, list your comments and deal with them so that you can see how the decision was reached. The report will contain the conditions that are recommended to be put on any approved application or the reasons for refusing it.

You will receive a letter telling you whether the application has been granted or refused permission. You will also be told how you can view a copy of the decision notice.

Comments are made public

Any documents we get about an application are made available to the public three days before the application goes to committee (excluding Saturdays and Sundays).

They are also available for four years after that. Examples of documents include the plans and the submitted planning application, as well as any representations. Representations are the comments either objecting to or supporting the application.

Any representations we get about an application are also published on our planning portal. You can ask us not to publish comments but they cannot then be considered.

For more information contact your local Planning and Building Standards office.