Issue - meetings

The Panel will be provided with an update by the Cabinet Member for Planning in respect of the legal consultation period for planning applications that town/parish councils are required to comply with.

With regard to a query raised by parish representatives at a previous meeting around the ‘21-day rule’ in respect of the legal consultation period that Town and Parish Councils as well as other statutory consultees were required to submit representations on planning applications, it was explained by the Cabinet Member for Planning (Cllr M Taylor) that, while town/parish councils were required to submit responses within the 21-day statutory consultation period as set out in Article 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, late submission of representations before an application was determined would still be accepted, although with less likelihood of it being fully considered and reflected in the case officer’s report.

Town and Parish Councils were reminded of the merit of early submission and were also made aware of an early Member engagement plan in respect of major and strategic development proposals, subject to approval by Council, which was aimed to enhance engagement with Members at an early stage of a major application and create an opportunity for input from local Members around key planning issues or concerns.