Public Speaking at Planning Committee Meetings

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01903 221065

planning@worthing.gov.uk

Public Speaking at Planning Committee Meetings

Members of the public have the opportunity to speak at Planning Committee meetings when planning applications or possible enforcement action is being considered and therefore we want this procedure to be easy to use and fair to everyone.  We would welcome your views on the current arrangements set out below.  The following note tries to answer most questions about the scheme but if you require any further information please contact the Planning Services Section on 01903 221065.

Does the Right to Speak scheme change the way planning applications are publicised?

No.  Neighbouring properties will still be notified by letter and a site notice displayed for major and more contentious schemes.  A notice in the local press will also advertise all planning applications.  You will need to submit your comments to the Development Control Manager within 3 weeks of being notified although a longer time period will be given in some cases for large scale development proposals.  If the planning application goes to committee a summary of the comments received will be included in the Officer's written report.  All letters received go on a file, which is available for public viewing.

How often does the Planning Committee meet?

The Planning Committee generally meets once every three weeks. It is normally held on a Tuesday afternoon starting at 2:00pm. It is held in Committee Room 2 on the first floor of the Town Hall, Chapel Road.

Who attends Committee?

There are 9 Councillors representing the two main political groups in the Borough. There are also planning officers, a committee clerk and a solicitor attending the meeting to provide advice to Members.  There are often representatives from the local press in attendance.

Who will be invited to speak at Committee?

Applicants/agents and all other members of the public including Residents’ Associations and amenity groups who have made representations regarding an application or enforcement matter, which is to be considered by the Planning Committee, can register to speak.

A number of planning applications fall to be determined by Officers under the Council’s approved Scheme of Delegation and will not be presented to the Planning Committee for determination.  It is not always possible to determine the decision method until the stage at which the Case Officer is formulating a recommendation.  Therefore, it is not possible for the Council to accept  ’prior’ or ’holding’ requests to speak.

If I comment on a proposal do I have to speak at Committee?

No.  As your interest in the proposal will be reported to Committee anyway it is up to you whether you speak or not.  You are welcome to attend to hear the discussion and decisions made on any matter on the agenda.

How long will I have to speak?

There will normally be a maximum of 12 minutes public speaking time allotted to each development proposal (6 minutes for objectors, 6 minutes for the applicant and supporters). We will encourage interested parties to get together to co-ordinate the use of the time or to nominate a spokesperson by putting people in touch with each other.  Each speaker will have a maximum of 2 minutes per person and this will be strictly enforced by the Committee Chairman to ensure fairness between supporters and objectors and to ensure that applications are dealt with efficiently and fairly within a reasonable length of meeting.  Exceptionally the Chairman may allow additional time at his/her discretion.  For major housing developments of over 100 dwellings and large scale commercial/retail of over 100 square metres 5 minutes per speaker will be allowed (15 minutes for objectors and 15 minutes for the applicant and supporters).

Who will speak first?

The Planning Officer will present the case providing any necesssary updates.  As part of the presentation a short video and/or photographs of the site and surroundings will be shown on monitors to the Committee and the public gallery.  The objectors will then be invited to speak followed by the applicant or supporters.

Will I be asked questions?

Members of Committee may ask questions of speakers only in connection with matters of clarification. They may also ask the Planning Officer to comment on what they have heard.  Members of Committee will then debate the proposal and make their decision.

Can I ask questions?

You may include questions in your submission but other speakers cannot be compelled to answer them. If you have a question that Officers could answer it would be best to let us know the question before the meeting so that relevant information can be gathered. You will not be allowed to interrupt someone else or take part in the Members' debate.

In preparing my statement which issues are relevant?

Speakers should direct their comments to relevant planning issues, for example: external design, appearance and layout of the development; impact on trees and nature conservation or overshadowing and privacy; highway safety and; planning policy and government guidance.  Further guidance can be obtained from the leaflet 'Planning Applications - Can I Comment?' Click here to view (opens new window).

Which issues are not relevant?

Speakers should avoid referring to matters that are not relevant planning considerations, for example: boundary disputes or other property rights; the applicant’s motives, character or reputation; loss of property value, or loss of a view; or matters covered by other legislation.  If you are unsure you can always check with the Planning Officer as each proposal may raise different issues.

Please do not present any new material or comments at the Committee meeting unless in response to the Committee report.  All comments regarding a development proposal should be submitted formally in writing to the Council in advance of the Committee meeting in order to enable them to be fully considered.  It is not normally possible for representations to be considered at the Committee meeting unless they have been submitted during the formal consultation process.

Speakers are encouraged to write out their speech beforehand or, at any event, take notes of the matters on which they are to address the Committee.  Speakers are advised also to speak slowly and clearly and adjust the microphone where necessary.

If I want to speak what should I do?

Committee agendas are published 5 working days before the date of the meeting.  A copy of the agenda is available on the Council’s website and the Committee file is available for inspection prior to the meeting (preferably with 24 hours notice).  This will give you the opportunity to see the Planning Officer’s report and recommendation to the Committee.

If you want to speak in connection with a particular agenda item you need to let us know by contacting our Democratic Services Assistant, Heather Kingston on 01903 221006 or the Democratic Services Officer, Neil Terry on 01903 221073 by 12 noon on the day before the Committee meeting (usually a Monday).

Times, dates and venues for Planning Committee meetings are available from the Council’s website or from the Democratic Services Section on 01903 221011.

* Defined as development proposals over 100 dwellings or 10,000 square metres of commercial leisure or retail floorspace.

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