PLANNING
Planning Applications
Parish Councils in Norfolk do not grant or refuse planning permission. This responsibility rests with the relevant Local Planning Authority (LPA), which may be the District Council, Norfolk County Council or the Broads Authority, depending on the type and location of the application.
The role of the Parish Council is to review planning applications affecting the parish and submit comments to the relevant planning authority. These comments may express support, raise concerns or formally object to a proposal. The final decision rests with the Local Planning Authority.
When considering planning applications, the Parish Council bases its comments on relevant planning policies and material planning considerations. These may include matters such as the impact on neighbouring properties, design and appearance, traffic and highway safety, access, drainage, environmental impact and the character of the local area.
When a planning application is submitted, the Parish Council is usually notified and invited to submit its observations within a specified period, typically 21 days.
Planning applications will normally be included on the agenda of the next Parish Council meeting for discussion and consideration. Meetings are open to the public, and residents are welcome to attend.
Residents are also encouraged to submit their own comments directly to the relevant Local Planning Authority. Anyone can make representations on a planning application, whether in support of or objecting to a proposal. Individual comments are considered separately from the Parish Council's response and should be submitted directly through the relevant planning authority's planning portal, within the consultation deadline.
Where an application is received too late to be considered at the next scheduled meeting, the Parish Council has a planning policy in place to ensure that it can still consider and respond to applications within the required timescale. This policy can be viewed on the documents page.
Where to View Planning Applications
Residents can view planning applications, supporting documents and submit their own comments through the relevant planning authority's online portal: