Details of how to submit an application can be found on the Making an application webpage

When an application has been received by us, various checks will be carried out to ensure that all information required to process the application has been received.

If further information is required, the application will be made invalid and further information will be requested from the applicant/agent, e.g. an additional fee or additional plans.

Once an application has been made valid it is assigned to a Planning Officer. That Officer will then carry out a site inspection of the application site.

We will carry out consultation on the application. This involves consulting the Parish/Town Council, the Highway Authority, affected neighbours and any other relevant party e.g. if the proposal is within a Flood Area, we will consult the Environment Agency.

All parties can view all representations made online. Comments from neighbours will also be available although some private details including signatures, telephone numbers and email addresses are redacted and not available for viewing online. Please note that following a decision of the Information Commissioner, names and addresses will be revealed online.

Once the Planning Officer has received the relevant comments from consultees, he/she will recommend either refusal or approval of the application.

The majority of Planning Applications (approx 90%) are determined under Delegated Powers.

This means that once a Planning Officer has made his/her recommendation, the application is passed to other senior Officers including the Development Control Manager or the Head of Planning and Environmental Health to determine the application under delegated powers

Once this has been done, the agent or applicant and those who have made a representation will be notified of this decision.

However, any Member of the Council may request, under a 'call-in' procedure, that an application is decided instead by the Planning Committee if they consider there to be exceptional circumstances surrounding it.

In the event of an application being referred to the Committee, there is the opportunity for people to put their views directly to the Committee.

The Planning Officer will then make a recommendation to the Planning Committee and they will determine the application.

Once a decision has been made, a decision notice will be issued to the relevant parties.

Local planning authorities are required to deal with an application within prescribed time periods. The Council aims to deal with most applications within the statutory 8 week time period, and 13 weeks for major applications.

You can track the progress of a planning application online - for further details go to the Viewing applications webpage

You may need approval under the Building Regulations as well as planning permission if you are proposing building works.

You should check with building control before starting any work.