PLANNING

The Planning process

If you are intending to submit a planning application, or you want to make comments about an application for consideration in the decision making process, then you must do so via the Uttlesford District Council (UDC) planning site here: https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/planning

If you know the reference number of an application you can search for it directly. Alternatively you can search for planning applications in your post code here: https://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application

You can also register with UDC to receive alerts to Planning Applications in your postcode here: https://publicaccess.uttlesford.gov.uk/online-applications/registrationWizard.do?action=start. After entering a postcode a localised map appears. You can then click underneath on the “Show results in larger map” and then “enable filter” to get a view of anything in your immediate area.

What role does the Parish Council have?

Felsted Parish Council is invited by UDC to offer opinion and views on planning applications. We do not make the decision to accept or refuse applications. We are consultees, in the same way as residents of the Parish are.

Planning applications affecting the Parish, and our parishioners, can be anything from a small extension to a property, to pruning a tree in the conservation zone, to a major housing development.

The processing of these applications, and the decision to accept or refuse them, is made by UDC, either at officer or Committee level.

Although some applications require UDC to alert neighbours to the application, through letters and public notices, this is not so in all instances. It is also important to understand that, even if neighbours are alerted to an application, you will NOT receive further updates regarding decision dates or changes to the decision making process or schedule should, for example, the decision be referred to the full UDC Planning Committee.

The process by which an application works its way through the UDC planning process can be complicated and can take many routes, with applications being amended, withdrawn and resubmitted.

Felsted Parish Council Planning Advisory Working Group

The Planning Advisory Working Group meets a few days before each Full Parish Council meeting. You can check the date of future meetings on the web calendar here: https://felsted-pc.gov.uk/meetings/. The group reviews each new planning application and makes recommendations to the full Parish Council on any comments that it should submit to the planning authority regarding each planning application.

Agendas for the Planning Advisory Working Group Meetings can be read here: https://felsted-pc.gov.uk/meetings/agendas/

You are welcome to attend Planning Advisory Working Group meetings and speak in the public section at the start of the meeting.

The minutes for the Felsted Parish Council Planning Advisory Working Group meetings can be read here: https://felsted-pc.gov.uk/minutes-planning-advisory-working-group/, and the applications considered and any decisions received can be read in the Full Parish Council Minutes here: https://felsted-pc.gov.uk/meetings/minutes/full-council/

The appeal process

If an application is approved then there is no process for those opposing the application to appeal, other than through the legal courts which is an expensive process. However, if an application is refused then there are a number of potential appeal processes for applicants, beginning with an appeal to UDC.

There is no duty for UDC to make residents aware of appeals. The appeal is logged on line against the original application process and documentation. The Parish Council is made aware and will submit further comment to the process if it has any additional information to add to the comments that were not made on the original application. These appeals will be recorded on the agendas and minutes of the Planning Advisory Working Group and the Full Parish Council.

If an appeal is rejected by Uttlesford District Council it can be taken further, to the Planning Inspectorate. Appeals are logged on their website and you can make your views known there. Again there is no duty to make residents aware of any appeals logged, so it is up to individual residents to maintain a watching brief, particularly against larger development proposals, which are more likely to be taken forward through the appeals process.

It is therefore important to remain aware of a refused application affecting you, since it may go to appeal through a number of routes.

NALC & CPRE Guide to Planning

CPRE (The countryside charity) and NALC (The National Association of Local Councils) have put together this useful guide to help everyone navigate and understand the planning application process in England.

The guide condenses technical info simply to help make understanding the planning system accessible to everyone. Whether you have a particular interest, or more general concerns, it will help you understand the key planning issues and present your views effectively. The guide is available to read here: https://felsted-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/How-to-Respond-to-Planning-Applications-1-1.pdf

If you wish to remain updated regarding the status of a specific application that affects you then you should keep watching the ‘summary’ and ‘important dates’ tabs on the application page. You can also talk to UDC planning officers on 01799 510510, or email at ku.vog.drofselttuobfsctd-5a709d@gninnalp