Search and comment on planning applications

You can search for and comment on planning applications on our online planning register.

National changes to planning decision-making

The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 introduces national changes to how certain planning applications will be determined under the National Scheme of Delegation.

From 31 October 2026, many lower-complexity applications, including householder and minor development proposals (known as Schedule 1 applications), will be decided by planning officers under delegated powers rather than by planning committees. Committees will instead focus on larger, more complex, or more strategically significant applications. We are therefore updating our constitution to reflect the new national requirements. Existing arrangements such as councillor call-ins and automatic committee referrals based solely on the number of objections will also be removed. 

Further information is available in the government’s guidance on Planning Committees and the National Scheme of Delegation.

What you can comment on

When we make our decision we can only take into account:

• whether the proposal is in line with the current policy plan for the area
• appearance and character of a new building
• increased noise and disturbance, such as from an increase in traffic
• safety of new roads, accesses and parking for road users and pedestrians
• affect the new building may have on employment or the local economy
• changes to public services
• how the new building may affect the landscape or conservation
• neighbours losing light or privacy

Comments we will not accept

When we make our decision we can not take into account:

• personal circumstances of the applicant
• the fact that development may have already begun
• competition between firms
• moral arguments
• loss of a view from a private property
• fears about the loss of property value
• the fact that the applicant does not own the land
• matters covered by leases or covenants