Summary

The procedures on speaking to the Development Control Committee and the structure of the meeting.

---

 

What happens at the meeting?

The Development Control Committee meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the Council Offices in Station Road, Wigston. Speakers should arrive a little earlier, seating for them will be reserved towards the front of the Chamber. Normally the procedure would be as follows: (this may be varied for more complex applications or where a number of officers need to address the meeting).

 

• The Chairman will announce the item and the officer will make any introductory comments in addition to their report and recommendation.

 

• The representative for the objectors/supporters followed by the applicant or his agent will address the meeting for a maximum of five minutes each.

 

• Once the representations have been made there will be no other opportunity to speak to the Committee.

 

The Committee will then consider the application and reach a decision taking into account the Officer's report and comments made by any representatives. If the application is deferred there will not normally be another opportunity to speak.

 

Use the following links to view the Development Control Agenda and Officer Reports| (Report of the Chief Planning Officer) and Development Control Committee Minutes|.

 

Addressing the Committee

1. Your comments must be completed in five minutes and be a statement of your objections or support. This is not an opportunity to ask questions. No letters or additional information can be distributed at the Development Control Committee meeting and videos, overheads and electronic presentations are only allowed at the discretion of the Chairman.

 

2. Try to limit your comments to relevant planning issues, for example:

• Layout and density of buildings;
• Overshadowing, overlooking and loss of privacy, noise disturbance or other loss of amenities;
• Appearance and character of the development;
• Traffic generation, highway safety, parking;
• Relevant planning policies.

 

3. Avoid reference to matters that are irrelevant to planning such as:

• Boundary disputes, covenants or other property rights;
• Personal remarks (for example the applicant's motives);
• Reduction in property values;
• Loss of private view over the land;
• Matters dealt with under other laws (for example licensing).

 

Other points of note.

Where an application is complex, likely to undergo a number of changes and appear before a number of meetings the right to speak may be deferred until the Committee is in a position to make a decision. This may involve the person chosen to speak having to attend a number of meetings of the Committee at which the only decision will be to further defer the application.

 

This system only relates to applications determined by the Borough Council.

 

When deciding if sufficient letters or signatures have been received only those received during the period of notification will be counted.

 

Only letters or signatures from different households will be counted towards the qualifying number. Multiple standard letters, just signed by the householder will be counted in the same way as signatures on a petition.

 

If the person chosen to speak would like help preparing their case, Planning Aid may be able to assist them. Planning Aid is a charity run by volunteers and not connected with the Borough Council.

 

If you would like help you should contact:

East Midlands Planning Aid Service

P O Box 8124, Newarke, Nottinghamshire, NG23 6XP

Telephone (01636) 823 045

East Midlands Planning Aid Website| [External link]