Search for and comment on a planning application

You can search for, view and comment on planning applications using our Planning Online System.

You typically have 21 days to comment on planning applications. When commenting, you must include:

• the planning application reference number
• the site address
• your address

All comments on planning applications should be submitted via our Planning Online System. Comments cannot be made anonymously, and your address will be published with your comment. Other personal information will be redacted. See our privacy notice for information how your personal information will be processed.

See our guidance notes (PDF, 1.4 MB) for instructions on using our Planning Online System and the Planning Aid England website for more information on commenting on a planning application.

Comments must not:

• be offensive, hateful or defamatory (such comments will not be considered by the case officer)
• contain any personal names other than your own (use words such as ‘applicant’ and ‘neighbour’)
• include any personal information – for example, that you live on your own or are going on holiday next week
• contain any information relating to medical data for yourself or others, as this is unlawful for us to process
• promote sexually explicit material, violence or discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age
• infringe the copyright, database right or trademark of another person
• impersonate someone else or be likely to deceive
• be made in breach of any legal duty owed to a third party, such as a contractual duty or a duty of confidence
• promote illegal activity

What comments will we consider?

You can only comment on the ‘material considerations’ of a planning application. This includes:

• the National Planning Policy Framework and Guidance
• local planning policy and development plan documents
• previous decisions, including appeals
• comments from consultees
• amenity considerations – for example, privacy, the visual impact, sunlight, daylight, noise and smell
• highway safety
• the impact of the application on the surrounding natural environment, archaeology, conservation and landscape
• the impact of the application on adjacent land use
• impact of the design on the character of an area
• the Human Rights Act

What comments do we not consider?

We cannot consider comments that refer to civil matters that are outside the boundaries of the planning process. These include:

• the effect of an application on the value of your property
• loss of view
• matters relating to party walls and structures
• private rights, including access
• moral issues
• restrictive covenants
• land ownership
• competition

Copyright

Plans, drawing and material submitted to the Council are protected by the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (Section 47). You may only use material which is downloaded and/or printed for consultation purposes, to compare current applications with previous schemes and to check whether developments have been completed in accordance with approved plans. Further copies must not be made without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Limitations

The online planning history is incomplete and must not be used as a substitute for carrying out a formal Land Charge Search. No responsibility will be taken for any errors or omissions in the planning history information obtained from Planning Online.

Please note that comments received will be available for public inspection. However, comments that would place the Council in breach of our legal duties may not be published.

Available information

Only planning applications from mid-2005 to the current date are available to view online. However, if you wish to view plans electronically before mid-2005, you can do so by contacting the customer service centre.