Public Speaking at Planning Committees
NOTES FOR GUIDANCE
As part of North East Derbyshire’s continuing commitment to developing public involvement in the planning process, the Council has introduced the opportunity for public speaking at Planning Committees.
Consultation on all planning applications has always taken place and the written responses are summarised in the reports presented to the Committee. We are now extending the opportunity for you to also voice your views directly to the Planning Committee.
Who can speak at the Planning Committee ?
This opportunity is for the applicant/agent, supporters/objectors, consultees (including representatives of parish/town councils and the County Council) and District Councillors not on the Planning Committee to amplify and explain points already made in writing. You are not expected to make points not previously set out nor use this as an alternative to submitting your views in writing.
You can only speak on an application that is on the agenda for determination at the meeting. You should note that not all applications are dealt with at Committee meetings, as many are decided by either the Director of Development and Leisure or the Head of Planning and Development acting under delegated powers.
You must prepare yourself and be ready to speak once only and briefly. You will not be allowed more than 3 minutes to present your views, as other consultees, including Parish and Town Council’s also have an opportunity to speak. You will also not be allowed to repeat points previously made by other speakers.
How do l arrange to speak ?
If you want to speak at the Planning Committee, you should tell us as early as possible and in any case not later than 10 a.m. on the Friday prior to the Committee meeting at which the application is on the agenda.
Wherever possible, please give your daytime telephone number, in case we need to contact you. The agenda for each meeting may not be published until three working days before the
Committee, but the content of the agenda is known a few days before this.
When the agenda for the Planning Committee is finalised, we will contact you usually in writing to notify you of the date of the Committee meeting, and you will be asked to contact the Corporate Services Administration Assistant who will co ordinate public speaking at the meeting.
Where and when are Planning Committee meetings held ?
Planning Committees are normally held every four weeks on a Tuesday commencing at 2 pm, in the Council Chamber, Council House, Saltergate, Chesterfield.
How will I know which Planning Committee Meeting the application will be considered at ?
Once the agenda has been finalised, we will contact you. However, not all applications are determined by the Planning Committee, as even where representations have been received, it may be possible to determine the application under Delegated powers. In these cases, where you have raised comments, you will be notified of the decision.
What Will be the order of the items on the Committee and how long will I have to wait to speak ?
The Planning Committee items are usually dealt with in Parish order. The Chair of the Planning Committee will usually bring forward those applications for which speakers are present and deal with those first. However, if a lot of people want to speak, it may take two hours or more before all the applications have been considered.
In what order will people speak ?
The Chair of the Planning Committee will introduce the application, and where additional information has been submitted following the publication of the agenda, the Planning Officer will update the Committee. You will then be asked to address the Planning Committee in the following order;
Any speaker present from the County Council, Parish or Town Council, or other consultee, or any District CounciHor who is not on the Planning Committee.
Objectors present, one at a time or through their spokesperson.
The applicant/agent and for any supporters, one at a time or through their spokesperson.
When you are nearing 3 minutes you will be advised to finish speaking.
Having spoken at the meeting you must then leave the matter to be debated by the Committee Members. You will not be allowed to join the debate but may be asked a question(s) to clarify some point(s) immediately after you have spoken.
The Planning Officer may comment on any new information given by speakers, correct any factual errors and comment on any non planning issues.
Control of the meeting is entirely at the discretion of the Chair. No one can demand to speak as of right. Where any person does not comply with the procedure set out above, they will be asked to comply. If you persist, you will not be permitted to continue your address.
What issues can I speak about ? Can I ask questions ?
Your written submission has been summarised, considered and assessed in a written report which has been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. Your oral comments should be to amplify the points raised in your written submission. Do not repeat yourself and do not repeat points or arguments made by others. You do not have the right to a reply and you are not permitted to cross examine other speakers, ask questions or join in the debate.
Your comments should be confined to planning issues, and should not cover issues such as the morals or motives of the applicant, matters which are controlled by other legislation, private legal rights, possible future development not included in the application and competition.
If a decision is deferred, can I speak at the following Planning Committee meeting ?
The opportunity to speak will be allowed only on one occasion. If it is decided to defer a decision to a later meeting representations made at the original meeting will be taken into consideration when determining the applications. Further comments will only be allowed if new issues are raised following deferral.
For further guidance please contact either Area Planning Officer in the Planning Section on:
Telephone: 01246 217176 for the South of the District
or 01246 217172 for the North of the District
| ||||||
