Speak at a Planning Committee meeting

You can speak at a Planning Committee meeting if the planning application meets the criteria listed below. This applies only to planning applications.

The number of representations (comments) received on an application

The number of representations (comments) received on a planning application does not determine whether it is decided by the Planning Committee instead of an authorised planning officer under the Scheme of Delegation. 

The number of representations (comments) is only relevant as to whether a planning application to be determined by the Planning Committee qualifies for public speaking.

Who can speak at a Planning Committee meeting

You can speak about an application on a Planning Committee agenda if it has attracted 5 or more representations (comments), against the planning officer’s recommendation. 

Comments must have been received at least 14 days before the committee meeting or before the statutory 21-day consultation period has ended. 

When considering an objection or letter of support: 

• a petition will be regarded as one objection or letter of support
• only one objection or letter of support may be submitted per household – should more than one be submitted, only the first shall be considered (for public speaking purposes)

Your right to speak on other types of planning applications 

You also have the right to speak on any of the following types of applications, regardless of the number of representations (comments) made:

• any application which in the opinion of the Borough Planning Officer (Head of Planning Services) raises major policy issues which is at variance with approved planning policies or is of such a magnitude that significant planning issues are raised
• any application for development requiring an environmental statement under the provisions of Schedule I and II of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended) and any subsequent amending regulations
• applications for major commercial (retail, industrial or business) development with a floor space of more than 2,500 square metres (outline or detailed applications) but not ‘reserved matters’ applications
• applications for residential developments of over 50 dwellings (outline or detailed applications) but not ‘reserved matters’ applications

Notifying you of the right to speak

If you make a representation (comment) on an application which is to be considered by the Planning Committee, and the number of representations received is more than 5, against the officer's recommendation, you and the other people who submitted representations (comments) will be notified of your right to speak. 

In the case of a petition, the notification will be sent to the petition’s first named person.

The number of people who can speak

Only one representor of the objectors and one representor of the supporters, applicant or agent will be allowed to speak at a meeting.

Any additional people wishing to speak will be advised to contact the person who is scheduled to speak, so representations can be combined, if necessary.

If the speaker wishes to present documentary material, it should be made available to the Democratic Services Officer before 12pm (noon) on the day of the Planning Committee meeting. The speaker will be advised on how to submit their material by the Democratic Services Officer.

The right to speak will only be granted at the first meeting where the application is considered by the Planning Committee. 

Register to speak at a meeting

To register your intention to speak at a meeting, call our Democratic Services' answerphone line and leave a message. Include:

• the planning application reference
• your name
• your contact details

Telephone: 01483 743 014

The answerphone is available:

• from 9am on the day after the Planning Committee agenda is published
• until 4pm on the Monday before the meeting (subject to bank holidays)

After we receive your message

Once we receive and process your answerphone message, we will advise you of the Planning Committee’s procedure. The agent or applicant will be contacted and advised that representations will be made at the meeting.

The order in which you can speak

Public speakers will be heard in the following order: 

1. representative of the objectors
2. representative of the supporter, agent or applicant (the agent or the applicant or their representative will be prioritised over a supporter)

Each speaker will be allocated 3 minutes. 

If the objector’s representative fails to appear then representatives of the supporters, applicant or agent will still be entitled to speak and vice versa. 

Where more than one person has registered, the second named representative is entitled to speak if the first named speaker has not arrived 5 minutes before the start of the meeting.

We will provide detailed information on the procedure for speaking at the meeting to those who register to speak.

The Council's Constitution

Full details of the right to speak scheme are set out in the Council’s Constitution.