New Planning Applications
Planning Consultation
Currently when a new planning application is submitted within the parish the clerk is sent a copy for the Parish Council to consider. When that application comes before them there are a number of options that the council have.
No Objection : This option is usually selected when the planning application does not present any real impact to local residents or it is not possible to determine any ‘material considerations’.
Material Considerations
- Planning Policy – how the application aligns with local plans or national policy
- Impact on neighbours – issues like loss of light, overlooking or noise
- Traffic or Highways – concerns over congestion & road safety
- Design & Appearance – whether the development is in keeping with the local area
- Environmental Impact – effects on trees, the environment or local biodiversity
It is important to understand that a Parish Council does not determine planning applications. In this area these are approved or rejected by the planning office of South Gloucestershire Council. Depending on the proposal some decisions are made by the planning officer & in other cases a committee is needed.
Have Your Say
When a planning application is submitted the local authority will notify any residents that live within a certain distance whose life may be affected by the development. Some applications have the potential to cause more impact than others. Where a resident has concerns about how an application will affect them they have the following options.
- Raise the concern with the parish council either in person during Public Participation at the beginning of parish council meeting or communicating by post or email to the parish clerk.
- Use the local authority planning portal to submit a comment. This can be either to support or object to the proposal.
Ways to submit a comment
The quickest & most effective way to register your view about a planning application is via the South Gloucestershire planning portal. You can do this by either visiting the website directly or via the new South Gloucestershire council App. This is available to download on either Google or iOS app store. Where possible submitting photographic evidence to support your comments is very helpful. For example where frequent flooding occurs or traffic congestion. Where a development is likely to affect others then it is often useful for all those who may be affected to also submit a comment.
Sometimes the planning application is geographically close but outside the area where notifications are sent. It is still possible for residents to submit comments however it is sometimes harder to find out about them.
Therefore the Parish Council will be posting all planning applications that are sent to them for residents to be able to view. In this way it is hoped that it will mean that all residents have a chance to comment should they want to. A post will be made on the homepage of the parish council website each month.
You can find out more about the South Gloucestershire App using the link below :
You can use this link to visit the South Gloucestershire website planning portal search :