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How we deal with your application

Once the application has been registered, it is allocated to a planning Case Officer who will carry out a site visit and consult the relevant interested parties (i.e. neighbours, statutory bodies and so on). The suitability of the proposal will be considered in relation to existing planning policies, past planning history of the site and surrounding area, government advice, responses to consultations and any other material considerations. The planning officer may ask for further information or consideration of certain amendments before finally making a recommendation on whether or not planning permission should be given.

Consultations

A number of consultations on each application will take place before the proposal is decided.

• Neighbours: those properties in the immediate vicinity of an application site are normally consulted. On major proposals, a wider notification may be appropriate.
• Statutory Bodies: these include for example, Environment Agency, English Heritage, English Nature.
• Amenity Bodies: such as Victorian Society, RSPB.
• Internal Consultations: such as Environmental Health on noise, land contamination and pollution; Engineers on highway safety.

How do I know what is going on

The Council is required by law to keep a planning register and this comprises two sections;

Part I contains copies of each of the applications, together with submitted plans awaiting final determination.

Part II of the register contains details of each of the determined applications, giving the decision. The register is available for public inspection at the Planning Department in the Civic Offices during normal office hours.

Once a week a complete list of planning applications received during that week is prepared and circulated to City Councilors, the Central public library, Citizen's Advice Bureau and is published to this web site. Certain planning applications received by the Council require more intensive publicity and are advertised in the local press each week under the public notices section. These proposals include :-

• Departures from the Portsmouth City Local Plan.
• Conservation Areas - proposals which materially affect the character of a conservation area.
• Listed Buildings - applications for alteration or demolition are given added publicity.
• Major development proposals

How can I have my say?

Support for, or an objection to, the application can be made in writing to the City Planning Officer or by by fax (023 9283 4660) or e-mail (planning@portsmouthcc.gov.uk). This correspondence will then be taken into consideration when determining the application.

If an application goes before the Development Control Committee, there is also an opportunity to address the Committee verbally and state views on the proposal. This is referred to as a deputation and can be arranged by writing to the City Planning Officer, phoning (023) 9283 4339, by fax (023 9283 4660) or e-mail (planning@portsmouthcc.gov.uk)

A leaflet explaining more fully how to claim the right to speak at meetings is available from the City Council.

Alternatively, a Ward Councilor who does not sit on the Development Control Committee can be contacted to speak on the behalf of a supporter or an objector on a particular proposal.

Who makes the decision?

• In the case of more minor and uncontentious applications where no objections are received, the City Planning Officer will consider the case officer's recommendation and then issue a decision.

• If letters of objection to an application are received and the recommendation of the City Planning Officer (CPO) is one of approval (provided the application is not contrary to the Development Plan) a short report will be circulated to all Councilors. This will summarise the representations received during the consultation period. Any Councilor can then ask that the application be considered by the Development Control Committee. Otherwise it will be determined by the CPO under his delegated powers. If a request is received during the consultation period expressing a view contrary to the CPO's recommendation then the matter will be referred to Committee.

•  However, if the application is for major development, is controversial, goes against City Council policy or is the subject of a deputation request which is contrary to the recommendation, then the officer's recommendation will be considered by the Development Control Committee.This committee is made up of elected Councilors and usually meets every three weeks. Shortly after the application has been determined, a decision notice is sent to the applicant or their agent, and anyone who has made representations is sent a letter informing them of the decision. A decision list is also posted on this website.

Decisions fall within three basic categories:

• Unconditional permission
• Permission subject to conditions
• Refusal

The whole process should take about eight weeks to complete, however, it may take longer where there is local interest or where amendments are required.

This process is summarised by the flow chart below.

Associated documents:

  Flow chart  (0.04 MB)