Planning - have to present at committee
Discussion
What sort of committee and about what? I was at a planning design appraisal meeting yesterday (pre-planning, consultant architects looking over proposed plans to give their view on its quality and appropriateness). I spoke for about ten minutes giving brief history of the house and area, and then the brief we had created saying what we wanted and how we thought we could achieve it.
In answer to the questions:
It is a committee meeting to decide whether the application is approved or not. It will be held at the local council offices. The application is being recommended for approval.
Our architect has suggested it may be better that I speak given 1) We are very local, 2) We have canvassed all the neighbours, 3) His view that this is a politicised process and therefore the 1) and 2) are highly relevant.
The only history is a previous application on the site which was withdrawn as the planning officer would not support.
HTH
It is a committee meeting to decide whether the application is approved or not. It will be held at the local council offices. The application is being recommended for approval.
Our architect has suggested it may be better that I speak given 1) We are very local, 2) We have canvassed all the neighbours, 3) His view that this is a politicised process and therefore the 1) and 2) are highly relevant.
The only history is a previous application on the site which was withdrawn as the planning officer would not support.
HTH
Ok! So prior to the meeting you should look at the committee report. This normally available days before the meeting.
You normally only have 3-5 minutes maybe a bit more so you have to be concise!
Back up strongly what the planners have stated in terms of policy etc.
Has any neighbours supported the application?
Has the Parish made an objection?
You normally only have 3-5 minutes maybe a bit more so you have to be concise!
Back up strongly what the planners have stated in terms of policy etc.
Has any neighbours supported the application?
Has the Parish made an objection?
Focus on facts and not opinions
I´ve spoken against planning for a hotel and I focused on the local development plan and the conditions it did not meet. I would suggest that you show that you are meeting all of the planning conditions and that and objections are not material e.g. ruins my view is not a suitable objection, nor is my house price will go down
I got 3 minutes..... be brief
I´ve spoken against planning for a hotel and I focused on the local development plan and the conditions it did not meet. I would suggest that you show that you are meeting all of the planning conditions and that and objections are not material e.g. ruins my view is not a suitable objection, nor is my house price will go down
I got 3 minutes..... be brief
Ok! So you start along the lines of...............
Good morning Chairman, members of the committee.
I am here today as the applicant to ask for your approval of this application.
As you will see from the report in terms of Planning Policy the officers have recommended it for approval.
Then its up to you! Mention the 3 letters of support BUT DONT mention the objections! The councillors will be able to read the report and see the objections!
Have you spoke to your local councillor? Its worth a phone call to get him to have a butchers and try & get him on board, even he/she can speak at the meeting to sway the vote! Same way as one of the objectors may have already tried to get he/she on board!
Good morning Chairman, members of the committee.
I am here today as the applicant to ask for your approval of this application.
As you will see from the report in terms of Planning Policy the officers have recommended it for approval.
Then its up to you! Mention the 3 letters of support BUT DONT mention the objections! The councillors will be able to read the report and see the objections!
Have you spoke to your local councillor? Its worth a phone call to get him to have a butchers and try & get him on board, even he/she can speak at the meeting to sway the vote! Same way as one of the objectors may have already tried to get he/she on board!
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Our planning application for developing the plot opposite our house has been called in to planning committee and I have been nominated to speak.
Having never done this before I would be very grateful of any hints and tips of what to say and how to say it?
TIA.
1. keep your points short and to the point, with your recommendation for approval focus on the positives - committee members usually like sound bites to latch onto;Having never done this before I would be very grateful of any hints and tips of what to say and how to say it?
TIA.
2. do not get bogged down in the specific complexities of objections unless strictly required and do not engage with anything that is not a material planning consideration (members should be versed in this i.e. loss of value, loss of view etc), if the objections are dealt with robustly by the officers report refer to the sections and quote short phrases;
3. slow your points down, 3 or so minutes is not a long time and with the pressures of this it is easy to rattle through and not be understood!
4. dont threaten the members of the committee with appeal if they go against the advice of their officer!
Do you know if there is the opportunity for committee members to ask you questions? it is always worth inviting questions as it will give you more time to expand upon important points if needed (and respond to objectors if they speak before you!)
Good luck!
Edited by mx5cl on Wednesday 22 May 16:26
I am a Councillor and deputy chairman of our Council's planning committee so hear applications like this every month. Just a few thoughts -
1) The fact the officers have recommended consent is obviously good - in my short experience (having only been elected for a year) unless there is a very good reason planning committee's tend to follow their officers, especially with smaller applications.
2) When speaking, be polite and concise and echo the conclusions of the officers in terms of policy. Councillors are human (in the main) - they will consider planning policy but invariably be swayed if they like you. I had a case a few months ago where the objector to an extension was incredible rude to the applicant at a site visit I was chairing - you could see any sympathy the councillors may have had for him evaporating in a nanosecond!
3) Good luck!
1) The fact the officers have recommended consent is obviously good - in my short experience (having only been elected for a year) unless there is a very good reason planning committee's tend to follow their officers, especially with smaller applications.
2) When speaking, be polite and concise and echo the conclusions of the officers in terms of policy. Councillors are human (in the main) - they will consider planning policy but invariably be swayed if they like you. I had a case a few months ago where the objector to an extension was incredible rude to the applicant at a site visit I was chairing - you could see any sympathy the councillors may have had for him evaporating in a nanosecond!
3) Good luck!
Edited by tim0409 on Thursday 23 May 11:55
What item are you on the agenda? Hopefully not first so you have a chance to see what goes on just to give you an idea of procedures.
Some meetings bring forward the apps that have public speakers up to the top of the list to save members of the public sitting there all night!
Have you registered to speak? If not call them now & make sure you get signed in when you arrive.
Some meetings bring forward the apps that have public speakers up to the top of the list to save members of the public sitting there all night!
Have you registered to speak? If not call them now & make sure you get signed in when you arrive.
herbialfa said:
What item are you on the agenda? Hopefully not first so you have a chance to see what goes on just to give you an idea of procedures.
Some meetings bring forward the apps that have public speakers up to the top of the list to save members of the public sitting there all night!
Have you registered to speak? If not call them now & make sure you get signed in when you arrive.
4th on the agenda. Some meetings bring forward the apps that have public speakers up to the top of the list to save members of the public sitting there all night!
Have you registered to speak? If not call them now & make sure you get signed in when you arrive.
Just called them. Apparently can only register on the evening.
What fun!
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