Current workloads

Over the last year, in common with other authorities, we have been receiving an exceptionally high number of applications and also have experienced a number of staffing changes with the departure of several experienced staff, leaving us with a significant backlog of cases. We have recruited new permanent and temporary staff to address this but we are currently dealing with an unprecedented volume of work which is causing significant delays and affecting our ability to meet targets.

At the moment it is not possible to give a timetable for how long it will take to determine particular applications but rest assured we are working hard to clear the backlog.

There is a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate for applications that have exceeded their target date without an agreed extension of time however we are aware that the Planning Inspectorate are also encountering significant delays and once an appeal has been lodged with them we are unable to continue to process and determine your application.   

Working during Coronavirus

The government has made it clear that planning should continue where practicable and our team is operating largely as normal, albeit working mainly from home.  

Pre-application advice

It is important that you submit sufficient information for us to be able to properly assess the impacts of the proposal. If it is not possible to visit the site you should be aware that additional issues could come to light when the site is visited during the application process. See our pre-application advice page for further details of the service.

Submitting a new application

We ask that all applications are submitted online which can be done via the Planning Portal. Any applications submitted by hard copy are likely to encounter further delays in validation due to remote working. Please submit photographs of the site and views towards neighbouring boundaries to help up assess the impact.

Commenting on an application

We ask that all representations are submitted online which can be done whilst viewing the application on our planning online web page

Site Visits

Planning Officers are only undertaking site visits where necessary in accordance with covid secure procedures. We are also using Google maps and Streetview and asking applicants to provide photographs of the site and surroundings where possible to enable us to make a full assessment. 

Publicity

To meet the publicity requirements we are currently sending neighbour notification letters instead of using site notices. In a small number of cases, where site notices are required by legislation etc, we may send the site notice direct to applicants asking them to display the notice and send us a photo of it in situ. 

Committees

Following the expiry of the temporary powers permitting remote meetings on 7 May 2021 All Planning Committees will now be in person at Forde House.