Local communities may wish to register their comments about a development with a petition. This is an acceptable method of communication. However, please note that the reasons for the petition (usually the front cover) will be published, but subsequent pages with signatures will not. We will include a tally of those who have signed the petition.
Important
Changes to our planning system
We are currently moving to a new version of our planning system, Public Access. During the move there will be two different versions of the system running and the one you need to use to view and comment on planning applications will depend on the date the application was submitted.
Planning applications submitted from 24 December 2025 onwards should be on our new system.
Planning applications submitted before the 24 December 2025 should be on our old system.
Once we have fully completed the move, all applications will be available on our new system but this will take a number of weeks.
As planning applications are processed over a period of time, you may need to use both versions of the system to ensure that you view a full site's history during this time.
This may also result in some delays in displaying submitted comments online and delays in responding to requests while this work takes place. Thank you for your patience during this time.
View and comment on a planning application submitted from 24 December 2025 onwards
You can use the new version of our Public Access system to comment on and view the documentation relating to planning applications submitted from 24 December 2025 onwards.
This service allows you to view details and make comments on planning applications that are being considered.
View and comment on a planning application submitted before 24 December 2025
You can use the old version of our Public Access system to comment on and view the documentation relating to planning applications.
This service allows you to view details and make comments on planning applications that are being considered, as well as viewing information for historic applications from 1974 onwards.
For help with using the planning system please read the Public Access user guide.
Personal details
Planning applications are public documents and your comments, including personal details, will form part of the planning application file and are available for other people to read.
We will publish your comments on our website. Before we do this we will remove your signature, telephone number and email address. Your name will be removed if it associates you with an address but the address will not be removed. It may be possible for others to browse your name and address via online search engines.
We have the same legal responsibilities as any other publisher when publishing comments / responses on our website. In view of this, please abide by the following criteria.
- do not refer to the personal character or motives of the applicant/s
- do not make any abusive or malicious comments
- do not mention hearsay or rumour
- do not use defamatory, slanderous or libellous language
Anonymous comments will be reviewed but may not be taken into account during the decision-making process unless they contain material planning comments.
Extreme examples of unacceptable observations will be returned to you.
Comments will be held on our electronic filing system and will remain public documents available to view online.
We aim to publish acceptable comments on our website within five working days of receipt.
Petitions
Comments that can be taken into account
- loss of privacy
- overshadowing
- design
- highway safety
- traffic and parking
- noise (from the proposed use, not building works during construction)
- incompatible uses
- scale of development
- appearance of development
- wildlife
- trees
- flooding
- effect on conservation areas and/or listed buildings
- explain how the proposed development affects any of the above issues
Comments that cannot be taken into account
- personal issues with neighbours
- loss of private views
- business competition
- noise or disturbance during building operations
- property devaluation
- private covenants
- boundary disputes
- impact of private rights of access
- anonymous comments
Comment in good time
- the deadline for comments is 21 days from the date on the letter/ publicity notifying you about the application
- however, all comments received up until the decision is made will be considered
- if comments are made after the 21 day deadline and a decision has already been made, your comments will not be taken into consideration
- it is advisable to make your comments as soon as possible
- if you make your comments online you can choose to receive an automated response. We do not acknowledge receipt of comments sent by email or post
- case officers do not send personal responses to comments