Objecting to or Supporting a Planning Application

You can object to, or support, a planning application by submitting a representation in one of three ways:

• online - using the Public Access system  (you will need to  register on Public Access [1MB]  to submit a comment, but not if you just want to view)
• by email - to the Planning Service
• in writing  - to the Head of Development and Planning

Please include the reference number of the planning application with your representation so it can be processed quickly. 

Please note: as long as the application is yet to be determined (decided), you may still submit a representation by email, even if the online record shows that the 'date for comments' has expired.
 

What to include in your representation

When making an objection, please bear in mind that planning officers are only able to take certain things into account, such as:

• possible conflicts with planning policies for the area
• the height of a proposed building and whether it would overshadow neighbouring properties to an unreasonable extent
• an increase in noise, disturbance or in the level of traffic that would be harmful (this should relate to the proposal itself and not to building works)
• the appearance of a proposed building in relation to neighbours and the area

Issues such as the loss of a view, or the devaluation of property, are not considered to be valid reasons for objecting to a planning application.
 

Personal information and data protection

Please read our guidelines on your personal data, our disclaimer and copyright before submitting a representation to the Planning Department. 

Please note that any comments made on an application (including personal details such as phone numbers) become part of the planning application file, which is a public document and may be seen by the applicant, other members of the public and councillors. Comments will also be published on this website.

If you want your personal details to remain confidential and not to be displayed on the website, you can request this by following our confidentiality process.

We reserve the right to withhold from publication on this website any comments, or parts of comments, not considered suitable for public viewing. This includes offensive or personal content relating to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010. Representations that we consider to be racially offensive, abusive, insulting, threatening or that incite hatred on the grounds of race, religion or sexual orientation may be referred to the police.

Please also be aware that making defamatory comments could leave you open to legal action.