Minor and small-scale applications are usually registered and acknowledged within five working days of receipt and large or complex applications within 10 working days of receipt.
Once an application is deemed valid, it is recorded on our planning register. Read more about how applications are processed on the Planning Portal website.
We will usually reach a decision on most application within eight weeks or 13 weeks for large or complex applications. We will provide the applicant with further information on the timescales once the application has been registered.
Applicants and the public can receive updates on the progress of planning applications and submit comments on our PublicAccess website.
Making a decision
Decisions are usually delegated, which means that one of our planning officers will make the decision, or the application can be considered by our Development Management Committee together with a report with an officer's recommendation.
An application may be referred to our Development Management Committee at the request of a District Councillor in accordance with our Constitution.
The Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer for Planning and Regulatory Services may also refer significant, controversial or sensitive applications to the Committee.
Read about the decision-making process and view a flow chart diagram of the application process on the Planning Portal website.
Detailed information about how we engage with the local community and stakeholders when considering planning applications can be viewed in our Statement of Community Involvement.