Issues that are relevant
The outcome of a planning application can be decided by Planning Committee, or be delegated for a decision by planning officers. In both cases, the decision must be based only on relevant material considerations.
Issues that are considered relevant in planning decisions are listed below.
Relevant considerations
Relevant considerations include:
- the local plan
- development plan documents
- supplementary planning documents
- the statement of community involvement
- the authority monitoring report
- government planning guidance
- the council’s corporate policies
- highway safety and traffic levels
- noise, disturbance and smells resulting from the proposed development
- design, appearance and layout
- conservation of buildings, trees and open land
- flood risk
- the impact on the appearance of the area
- the effect on the level of daylight and privacy of existing property
- the need to safeguard the countryside or protected species of plant or animal
- planning case law and previous decisions
- the need for the development
- the planning history of the site
Issues that are not considered relevant to planning decisions include:
- private property rights, such as covenants
- the developer's identity, morals or motives
- the effect on the value of your property
- loss of a private view
- private neighbour disputes