How we deal with your planning application

Once we have received your application it is checked to make sure that all the details are correct and the necessary documents have been included.

If the application is correct an acknowledgement is sent to you and the application details are entered onto the computerised application system. It is at this stage that the consultation and publicity period starts.

The application details are placed on our Planning system together with the related plans. These can be looked at online or by visiting our Long Stratton offices. 

Local Councillors will be notified of the application, as well as the Parish or Town Council. The Parish or Town Council will have a copy of the plans sent to them, and these will also be made available for public inspection.

Site notices are put up and notification letters are sent at the discretion of the case officer.

Anyone wishing to make a comment on the application has 21 days from the publicity date to put these in writing to us, in order that they can be considered as a part of the decision process.

A Planning Officer will be appointed to manage your planning application.

The nature/complexity of the application will influence how long it takes to make a decision, but we aim to process the majority of planning applications within eight weeks. Major applications, such as large housing developments, are usually determined within 13 weeks, or 16 weeks where an Environmental Impact Assessment has been submitted.

The site will be inspected by the Officer and any further consultations / negotiations will be carried out. A recommendation will then be prepared.

The decision process explained

For relatively simple applications a decision can be made once the statutory 21 day consultation period has passed. These are authorised under the powers delegated to the Director of Development and Environment and the Development Control Manager. (See the Council’s Council Constitution - Part Three: Delegation of Functions by the Planning Committee).

A Local Member can request that any application be decided by Committee if it is in the interest of local people to do so, and it is for valid planning reasons.

Committee

The Development Management Committee determines applications that can not be determined by our Officers..

The Committee is made up of elected Members who listen to the views of the Public and the reports of the Planning Officers. A decision will then follow a debate between members on the application. Public speaking is allowed at these committees.

These are public meetings so if there is an item on the agenda that is of interest to you, you are more than welcome to go along. Our Committee papers and decision-making section has the calendar of forthcoming meetings and agendas, reports and minutes of previous meetings for each of the planning committees.

Decisions take into account the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework, the Joint Core Strategy for Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk and saved policies of the South Norfolk Local Plan, Supplementary Planning Guidance, together with other material considerations e.g. impact on residential amenities.

There are normally two categories of decision:

• Approval – with any conditions clearly stated together with reasons.
• Refusal – again with reasons clearly stated.

Decisions can be deferred by members, often for a site inspection by members, or simply for more negotiation to take place.

How we tell you about the decision on your application

The Decision Notice will be forwarded to you or your Agent. It will clearly explain the decision including the reason for any conditions. Works must commence within a specified time limit, after which permission will lapse. Once approval has been granted it will be necessary to advise the Planning Service when works are due to start and to complete the relevant paperwork for any Building Control Regulations.

Appeals

If your application has been refused, you have a right of Appeal to the Secretary of State. An appeal is made to the Planning Inspectorate who are a part of the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG). Only the applicant can make the appeal. The completed appeals paperwork must be received within six months of our decision, or within three months of the end of the decision period if a decision hasn’t been made (advertisement appeals have only two months to be submitted). If the paperwork isn’t received within this period and there are no exceptional reasons for this then the appeal will not be accepted.

Find out more about appeals.

Further Assistance

Should you require further help or assistance with your application please contact our Planning Administration Team (contact details below).