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If your application is submitted correctly, with all the necessary plans and the correct fee, it will be registered and acknowledged. If your application is incomplete, it will be returned with a letter explaining what is wrong and what you need to do to make your application acceptable for registration.

Your application will then be advertised in accordance with legislation. A notice or notices will be posted on or close to the site to publicise the application, inviting your neighbours and anyone else with an interest to view the application at the Planning Office and to make written representations.

In determining the application the Case Officer will consider the following:

• Whether the proposal complies with relevant national, strategic and local planning policies
• The effect of the proposal on existing neighbouring development and the character of the local area
• Any representations received regarding the proposal

For all applications a site visit is made.

You may be asked to make modifications to your plans where these are considered to improve the proposals and where they will not require fresh public consultation.

Most applications are approved or refused under delegated powers. The more controversial applications will go before Planning Board, with a recommendation from the Director of Planning and Transport Services.

The decision will be:

• to approve (often subject to conditions controlling such things as building materials);
• to refuse (reasons are given); or
• to defer - perhaps to ask for further information, or so that the Board can visit the site before reaching a decision.

After the decision has been agreed a decision notice is sent to the applicant or their agent. If the applicant is aggrieved by the decision, or if the decision has not been made within eight weeks or thirteen weeks for a major application, an appeal may be lodged with:

The Planning Inspectorate
Customer Support Unit
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol  
BS1 6PN

Planning appeals are decided by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, or more usually by an Inspector approved by the Secretary of State, who will look at the issues involved and visit the site. The appeal can be decided by a formal public enquiry or informal hearing (both presided over by the Inspector), or by exchange of written representations. This last method is the most frequently used as it is cheaper and quicker. The decision of the Secretary of State is final and can only be challenged in the High Court on a point of law.

The Planning Inspectorate have introduced an on-line appeals service which you can use to make your appeal on-line. You can find the service through the appeals area of the Planning Portal - see www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs.

The Inspectorate will publish details of your appeal on the internet (on the appeals area of the Planning Portal). This may include a copy of the original planning application form and relevant supporting documents supplied to the Local Authority by you or your agent, together with the completed appeal form and information you submit to the Planning Inspectorate.   Please ensure that you only provide information, including personal information belonging to you that you are happy will be made available to others in this way. If you supply personal information belonging to a third party please ensure you have their permission to do so.

More detailed information about data protection and privacy matters is available on the Planning Portal.