How we consider your comments on planning applications

The planning authority must make their own objective appraisal to ensure that robust planning decisions are made.

If refusing a planning application, the reasons given must be clear and capable of being substantiated by evidence at appeal if required.

If they cannot be adequately defended the Planning Inspectorate can punish councils financially for unreasonable behaviour in their decision making.

There will inevitably be cases when the council, acting as the Planning Authority, will reach a different judgement to some resident’s views, or that of the parish or town council.

That does not mean that your comments have been ignored.

It’s just that the legal framework in which decision are made is very complex, but hopefully how the issues have been weighed and balanced should be clear in the officer report.