Development Control Committee
How we provide this service
There are two ways in which a planning application is decided. Firstly by a Planning Officer and secondly by the Development Control Committee. Below is a description of which applications go to the committee, how it works and who is on the committee. This service is supported by Planning and Development, Planning.
The Development Control Committee (DCC) meets every four weeks of the year to make decisions on planning applications. The DCC has a total of 15 elected members (the councillors from our District) their is also a Chairman and Vice Chairman. Other people who attend the meeting and have an active part are officers from the planning department and our Legal & Members team. We now offer the public a chance to talk at Development Control Committee, please see our Public Speaking pages for more information.
Each application is presented and explained by the planning officer and then the members discuss the application raising valid points. Once all the discussions are over, a member can opt to 'move' for a particular decision. For example they may say "I move to approve the application" another member may then 'second' the suggestion. If this happens then the members vote on the decision, the application is determined by a majority vote. If the votes are equal (6 for, 6 against) the Chairman has the deciding vote.
There are various outcomes from an application going to DCC, the two most obvious are Granted or Refused. However other possible outcomes are that the application is 'Deferred' in this case the officers have to go back to the applicant and either request more information, ask for an amendment to a drawing or generally seek improvements to the application. The application must then go back to the next DCC meeting for a decision.
Other possible outcomes are that the Head of Planning & Development is 'Minded' to make a decision which is selected by the DCC. In this instance the members are happy with a decision to approve or refuse an application but they want a minor detail to be sorted out. When the Head of Planning and Development is Minded to approve or refuse the minor detail must be sorted out and the the relevant decision is made.
You can now track planning applications online using our Online Mapping Planning facility (new window). [Details & Restrictions of the Mapping Service]
Opening Times: Click here to find out when the next DCC meeting is.
What to do to get this service
The development control committee will make decisions on the following types of applications:
- where they are contrary to policy and not recommended for refusal
- those that raise novel or contentious planning issues
- the Council's own applications, or where the Council has an interest in the land
- where an application involves a member or staff interest
The majority of the other applications are dealt with by a Planning Officer. click here to see how an officer deals with an application
Other applications that may go to committee are those which have objections from neighbours which have planning related issues (Planning Related Issues are known as 'Material Considerations'). So for example if a neighbour has objected to an extension by simply saying "they do not like it" this probably wouldn't force the application to committee.
Applications where there are objections that do not raise relevant planning matters will go to a separate group known as the Chairmans Panel. This panel is made up of three members of the Development Control Committee. Their purpose is not to determine an application but to advise whether it should go to the Development Control Committee or be decided by an officer.
How much will it cost?
There are no additional charges for an application going to DCC, just the original charges for submitting an application.
How long will I have to wait for a response?
If an application you have submitted is going to the DCC you will be informed 5 - 7 days before the actual meeting.
How long will the whole process take?
Obviously this depends on the outcome of the discussions at the meeting. If a decision is reached you should have your official decision notice within 2-3 working days. If a decision is not reached the planning officer dealing with your application will contact you the following day to discuss the course of action.
Common Questions
Q. When is my planning application going to Committee.
A. Not every application will need to be discussed at the Development Control Committee.
An agenda is available five working days before each committee. Please contact the Customer Service Team on 01775 764420 to receive a copy of the agenda.
Q. Can I attend the Planning Committee meeting?
A. Yes. The Development Control Committee meets every 4 weeks in the Council Chamber at the Council Offices in Priory Road, Spalding and there is a public gallery where you can listen to the discussion. If you wish to speak you must register with the Public Speaking Officer (see Public Speaking pages).
Q. How do I know when meetings will be held?
A. View a full list of all Council meetings.
Q. How is the Committee formed?
A. 15 Councillors serve on the Committee. Seats on the Committee are allocated to political groups based on the percentage of seats each group has on the Council as a whole. There is also a pool of 11 substitute members. If a member of the Committee is unable to attend any meeting his/her Group Leader may appoint one of the substitutes to be a member of the Committee for that meeting. View the committee membership page to find out which members serve on the Committee and which members are on the pool of Substitute members. One member is elected to serve as Chairperson of the Committee and one member is elected to serve as Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson regulates and controls the meeting and ensures that proceedings are conducted in a proper manner. In the absence of the Chairperson this role is undertaken by the Vice-Chairperson.
Q. Who else is at the meeting?
A. Planning and Environmental Health Officers who give advice on the planning and health issues that affect each application. A Senior Legal Officer who gives legal and procedural advice and a Committee Officer whose job is to produce the minutes of the meeting.
Q. How are the planning applications dealt with?
A. A 'schedule' of applications is prepared for each meeting. Each application on the schedule is dealt with in turn. The Chairperson first reads out the application details and then the planning officers describe the application and explain the main policy and other issues which affect it. members may then ask questions and a debate may follow during which members may "move" and "second" various proposals. Those proposals are then voted on and a decision is reached. The officers include a recommendation for each application within the schedule but members may not always consider the recommendation to be appropriate.
Q. My application has been deferred for a site inspection. What happens now?
A. Occasionally applications are deferred for site inspections. This may happen when, for example, there are contentious issues and members feel that they need to inspect the site before making a decision. When an application is deferred for a site inspection, the inspection will take place before the next Committee meeting. This allows members to consider the application again at the next meeting.
Q. Are all meetings open to the public?
A. Yes but occasionally the agenda may include an item which is confidential and members of the public and the press will be asked to leave before the item is discussed.
Further Common Questions
Q. How can I find out what decision was made on an application?
A. You can contact the Committee Clerk on 01775 761161 after the meeting. Alternatively, printed minutes are usually available 5-10 working days after the meeting. These can be inspected at the Customer Service desk or you may ask for a copy of a particular page or set of minutes. A small fee of 20p is charged for each A4 page copied. Minutes are also available electronically.
Q. Can I have a copy of the agenda and schedule?
A. A number of agendas and schedules are available free of charge at the Customer Service desk on a first come first served basis. If you attend a meeting you will find some copies in the public gallery when you arrive. If you need agendas for all meetings of the Committee you can subscribe and copies will be forwarded to you by post. Contact a member of the Committee staff on 01775 761161 for details.
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Contact Details
If you have any queries about the information provided above, or require further information, please contact Customer Services on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk.
