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How you can get involved in the planning process

The law requires both local and regional planning bodies to prepare a statement of community involvement. These set out policy on involving the community in preparing regional spatial strategies, local development documents and consulting on planning applications.There are four main ways you can get involved:

For more information on community involvement in planning, visit the Planning Portal.

• Local Development Frameworks Opens new window
• Regional Spatial Strategies Opens new window

Planning applications

If you are affected by a new development proposal, the first you may hear about it is as a neighbour informally consulted by the developer.

After the planning application has been made, the local planning authority will post notices nearby or write letters to those closest to the proposed development, inviting comments.

Larger developments will also be advertised in a local newspaper. The details of the proposals, including architects' drawings and models, will be available for inspection at your council offices.

• Find your local council

Making your views known

There will be a limited amount of time in which to send comments (often called 'representations') to the local planning office. It is very important to meet any deadline or your submission may not be taken into account.

It is possible to attend committee meetings dealing with planning applications. In many cases members of the public can speak briefly to ensure that the committee is aware of their views.

However, only elected members of the council can vote on the application decision itself.

After the decision

In England and Wales it is not possible for a third party to appeal against a local planning authority's decision.

For example, if your neighbour was granted permission to build an extension you could not appeal against it - even if you objected to the application at an earlier stage of the process.

Complaining about applications

In some cases, complaints about how a local planning authority handled a planning application can be referred to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Appeals

You can comment on two types of appeal: planning appeals and enforcement notice appeals. To find out more about commenting on appeals, see the following articles on the Planning Portal.

• Commenting on a planning appeal Opens new window
• Commenting on an enforcement appeal Opens new window

Breaches of planning control

A planning breach usually occurs when:

To find out more about breaches of planning control and reporting a planning breach see the Planning Portal.

• How to make a Planning Breach complaint Opens new window
• Planning Aid website Opens new window