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.
You can use our Public Access system to view documentation and make comments on all planning applications
If requesting a password reset, please be aware that the email address field if case sensitive, you need to enter your email address as you originally entered it when you set up your account.
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