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
On 1 October we started 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 1 October onwards should be on our new system. Although there may be a two-week delay in them appearing as we manage new applications alongside the work on the new system.
Planning applications submitted before the 1 October 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 1 October 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 1 October onwards. There may be a two-week delay in applications appearing as we manage new ones alongside the work on the system transfer.
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 1 October
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.
About Public Access
For help with using the planning system please read the Public Access user guide.
It allows you to view details of applications that have been submitted to us.
You can:
- monitor the progress of an application
- view plans and documents
- submit comments
- search a weekly list of applications and decisions
- see whether an appeal has been lodged and any appeal decisions
- research details of applications from 2000 onwards
- view property details by reference to a map
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority deals with planning applications for the national park area.
Commenting on planning applications
If you send a comment online or by email, please do not send a duplicate copy by post. Electronic comments carry as much weight as written comments and we process them in the same way.
Comments must include:
- the planning reference number
- your name and full postal address (if these details are not given we will not consider your comments and they will not be published on our website)
- the date
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 and address will remain and therefore it may be possible for others to browse your name 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.
If we consider that your comments do not follow the above criteria, they will be regarded as unacceptable for the public domain. You will be advised to resubmit a cleansed version.
Comments will be held on our electronic filing system and will remain public documents available to view online. We cannot accept private and confidential comments.
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
Planning decisions
Decision making
Most planning decisions are made by our planning officers under delegated powers. Some decisions go to our planning committee.
We are obliged to follow the requirements of the Planning Acts and assess an application in accordance with the local policies unless there are other overriding material planning considerations. We are required to act positively and to make planning proposals acceptable. We must also include a statement in the decision notice. This will explain how we have dealt with the planning application in a positive and proactive way based on seeking solutions to problems that may have arisen with the planning application.
If an application is to be heard by the planning committee, you will be allowed to speak to the members about your concerns.
All decisions are published on our website.
It is your responsibility to monitor the progress of an application and to find out whether or not it is to be heard by the planning committee.
Timescales for planning decisions
- we have a deadline of eight weeks to determine most planning applications
- more complex applications have a deadline of 13 or 16 weeks
- if we do not issue a decision within these timescales the applicant may appeal against non-determination. In such circumstances the decision would then be made by the Planning Inspectorate rather than us
Process after a decision has been made
If permission is granted
The decision may include conditions that the applicant must comply with. There is no process for neighbours or other third parties to appeal against our decision.
If permission is refused
Applicants may either resubmit another planning application for an alternative scheme or appeal against our decision.