Members of the public have the right to speak at meetings
of the Council’s Development Control Committees during the
consideration of applications that are submitted under the Town and
Country Planning legislation.
The purpose of the right to speak scheme is to allow the committee
the opportunity to hear the views of the public. The success and
future of the scheme is dependant on participants adhering to the
simple rules and procedures outlined below. This advice applies
equally to objectors, applicants, agents, supporters, parish
councillors or other interested parties.
The order of business at Committee is as follows:
(i) Planning Officer presentation.
(ii) Town / Parish Council - same rules as for objectors
(iii) Objectors – please note we can only allow one person to speak
for up to 3 minutes. We advise you that, if several people are
interested, you should agree before the meeting that one person
will speak for everyone.
(iv) Agent, applicant or supporters - same rules as for
objectors.
(v) Committee questions.
(vi) Committee debate and decision.
Please note that you will be asked to stop speaking if you exceed
the time
Do all Planning applications have to be decided at
Committee?
No, in line with other Councils, and Government guidelines, Waveney
District Council operates a scheme of delegation, which means that
more than 80% of applications are decided by Senior Planning
Officers.
If I am an applicant or agent do I have to speak at
Committee?
No, if you put your views in writing we will report a summary of
them to the Committee so that it can take them into account when
coming to a decision.
If the Officer’s recommendation to Committee is to approve the
proposal you may decide not to take up Committee time in repeating
the Officer’s comments.
If the Officer’s recommendation to Committee is to refuse the
proposal you may choose to request permission to speak. Please note
that the recommendations are not always accepted by the
Committee.
How will I know if the application is to be decided by
Committee?
The Committee agenda is published at least 5 working days before
each Committee meeting. It can be viewed at Council Offices or on
our website. However, you are advised to check the latest position
by phone one or two days before the meeting (Tel: 01502 523024
Lowestoft & Northern Parishes or 01502 523020 for Rural
Committee).
When and Where are Committee Meetings held
?
The Development Control Committees meet on a monthly cycle. The
Rural Area Committee usually meets on the first Wednesday of the
month in Beccles (phone to check venue); the Lowestoft &
Northern Parishes Area Committee normally meets on the third
Wednesday of the month, usually at Lowestoft Town Hall. All
meetings start at 6pm.
How Can I Arrange To Speak At The Meeting ?
You can express a wish to speak at Committee at any time up to 6.00
pm on the day the application is due to be dealt with at Committee.
However, it is advisable to ring the committee officer a day or two
before hand to help with administration (Tel: 01502 523241).
Before the meeting starts an officer will speak to the members of
the public present and ask them which applications they are
interested in. To avoid people waiting a long time it is our usual
practice to consider these at the start of the schedule. Please be
there at least 5 minutes before the meeting starts to ensure that
proceedings can commence on time.
What items can I speak on?
You can only speak on applications for planning permission and
applications for listed building consent, which appear on the
Schedule of Applications for Determination.
The Council does not permit the public to speak on planning
enforcement matters or other items not on the schedule of
applications.
Can I use photographs or other materials to illustrate my
point ?
No as this will tend to disrupt proceedings and you will not be
allowed to circulate material at the same time as you speak. If you
wish to submit a map, photograph or drawing, it is essential to
send these to the officers in good time before the meeting so that
they can be scanned for inclusion in the presentation if
appropriate.
Can I ask questions at the meeting ?
Any questions that you have should be put to officers before the
meeting, preferably at least a week before. You may not take part
in the debate at the meeting. If you raise questions during your 3
minutes, members will consider them and may seek a response on your
behalf if they feel it necessary.
What if I can not attend the meeting ?
The consideration of an application will not be delayed simply
because someone who wishes to speak is unable to attend the
meeting. If this is the case it is important that you submit your
comments in writing if you wish them to be considered.
What are the relevent issues in considering proposals
?
The relevent issues will vary with the Nature of the proposal and
the site, but may include the following: -
- Structure Plan and Local Plan Policy;
- Government Planning Guidance and advice;
- Planning Law and previous decisions;
- Highway safety and traffic;
- Impact on visual or residential amenity e.g. loss of light or
over-shading, loss of privacy, noise, disturbance, smells or
nuisance;
- Design, appearance and layout;
Conservation of trees, historic buildings, etc
What issues are not relevant in considering proposals
?
Again, they will vary from case to case, but the following are
usually irrelevant:
- Matters covered by other legislation (e.g. alcohol
licence)
- Private property rights (e.g. boundary or access disputes;
covenants; rights to light or other constraints)
- The developer’s morals or motives
- Possible future development
- Loss of view
- Effect on value of property
For Further Information
If you have questions not answered on these pages or would the
information in a leaflet format , you are welcome to Contact:
-
Development Control Team
Waveney District Council
Town Hall
High Street
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR32 1HS
Telephone 01502
523072