How and when decisions are made

What happens after you submit your planning application, including how and when we make decisions and how long it may take to process your application.

We decide applications after we've:

  • consulted planning policy and guidance 
  • put the application out for consultation and considered any comments received 
  • visited the site, if necessary (this usually includes taking photographs of the site)

How long it takes to make a decision

The length of time it takes to assess your application and make a decision can vary. 

We aim to decide on applications within 8 weeks. 

Some types of applications have different timescales. These include:

  • householder prior notifications (larger home extensions) – 42 days
  • applications for major developments – 13 weeks
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications – 16 weeks

Consultation period

When an application is registered, it will be made public: 

We then allow 21 days for people to share their views. We will accept comments after 21 days if the application is still under consideration.

For more on how we publicise applications, read our statement of community involvement – Woking 2027.

For some applications, we may ask other specialist organisations for comments, for example:

  • the lead local flood authority
  • the county highway authority

Material considerations

A material consideration is a matter that may be taken into account in deciding a planning application. 

The material considerations that may be taken into account include: 

  • design and visual impact
  • loss of amenity (noise, trees, landscape)
  • highway safety
  • loss of privacy, overshadowing, light
  • planning history and related decisions
  • ecology
  • flooding

Matters that cannot be taken into account include: 

  • loss of property value
  • loss of view
  • matters covered by other legislation
  • covenants and bylaws 
  • private disputes regarding land ownership
  • the applicant
  • market competition

Minor changes to your application

Your planning officer may suggest minor revisions to your application, often following consultation responses and the site visit. These will normally be small scale changes, in order to achieve the best development on site and to minimise the impact on neighbours. 

It is up to them as to whether they suggest or accept revisions.

Who makes the decision

The planning officer managing your application will write a report and will recommend an application for approval or refusal. This report will be reviewed by an authorised officer. 

In some cases it may be up to the Planning Committee. Find out more about speaking at a Planning Committee meeting.

Decision notices

Once decided, a decision notice will be made available on the planning register.

If the application is being determined by the Planning Committee, the publication of the agenda for the meeting will include the officer report and recommendation on the application. 

Planning Committee meetings are held every month (except May and August). These meetings are open to the public to attend or can be watched as a webcast.