Who makes decisions on planning applications?
To find out about who makes the decision on planning applications please see our planning permission| page.
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Commenting on Planning Applications
As part of the planning process, occupiers of neighbouring properties are consulted, but the Council welcomes the views of any interested parties while it considers planning applications. In this way it can be sure that it has all the relevant facts when it comes to make its decision.
Please see our Notifying the Public leaflet for further information about the notification process.
It is important that you put your views in writing at the earliest opportunity so that we can take them into account. An application can be decided at the end of the consultation period, usually 21 days after neighbours have been notified by Development Control. So do not wait until the end of this period to make your views known. You should consult the case officer to see if you can still make comments before the decision is made.
You can view application details/plans and comment online.
The Head of Regulatory Services can decide planning applications for a wide range of straightforward planning applications including, for example, house extensions and changes of use. Before making a decision he will take all the comments he receives into account.
However, applications for large or potentially controversial developments, or to which at least two people or a local Councillor have objected, will be decided by the Planning and Development Committee. In addition to making written comments, local people may be allowed to speak at the Committee meeting dealing with these applications.
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Consideration of Applications
In order to find out whether the Committee will be dealing with a particular application, please telephone the Planning Information Officer or check the planning application details|.
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Committee Meetings
Meetings of the Planning and Development Committee take place every four weeks on Wednesdays. They are normally held in the Bridges Room at the Civic Centre and commence at 10.00am. The dates of the meetings can be obtained from the Planning Information Officer (Telephone 0191 433 3426).
Copies of the agenda, reports and minutes of previous meetings can be viewed in our Online Papers| section.
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Hearing Representations
The Planning and Development Committee will hear representations from objectors; supporters and applicants about planning applications, which are on the agenda for that meeting subject to certain basic rules.
For further information on speaking procedures please consult our Have Your Say leaflet.
In addition, Councillors who are not members of the Committee are allowed to speak on applications affecting their ward. If you would like to contact your Ward Councillors to ask for their support, names, addresses and telephone numbers can be obtained from
The Members Secretary
Legal and Corporate Services
Central Services
Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH
Tel: 0191 433 2074
Fax: 0191 478 2755
Minicom 0191 478 1847
Web: Gateshead Councillors Online|
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Rules
The Rules for speaking at Committee meetings are:
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Anyone wishing to speak must first make their objection or express their support in writing,
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Anyone wishing to speak must then make a request to be placed on the "List of Speakers" by 4.30pm on the Friday prior to the committee meeting.
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If objectors intend to speak, the applicant and supporters will also be allowed to speak. If no objectors are attending, the applicant or supporters will not be allowed to speak, unless the application is recommended for refusal.
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If several objectors wish to speak, one of the objectors should usually be nominated to speak on behalf of all the objectors concerned.
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However, if there are two distinct and separate areas of objection, two objectors may be allowed to address the Committee.
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No more than three people including the Ward Councillors, but excluding the applicant, can address the Committee on any application.
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All speakers are given three minutes to make their points.
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Speakers are not allowed to question members of the Committee or Council officers or to take part in the discussion on an application.
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The Committee Chairman has the discretion to vary these rules or to curtail speaking rights in individual cases if he or she considers it appropriate.
Please remember it is up to you to follow the progress of the application you are interested in. You should:
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Find out if the application you're interested in is going to be dealt with by the Committee.
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Keep in touch with the Planning Information Officer.
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Make sure you find out the date of the meeting.
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Find out whether anyone else has asked to speak.
If you need help or advice about speaking at a Committee meeting please contact the Planning Information Officer| on 0191 433 3426.
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Planning Considerations
In determining Planning Applications, the Head of Regulatory Services and the Planning and Development Committee can only take account of the planning merits of the case.
Here is a helpful table to explain relevant planning issues:
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Planning Issue
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Not a Planning Issue
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Loss of Privacy
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Loss of a view
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Loss of Light
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"Trade objections" from potential competitors
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Car Parking
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Fear that property may be devalued
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Noise & disturbance
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"Moral objections" to uses such as betting office or amusement arcade
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Character of the area
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The fact that development has begun or been completed
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Green Belt
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Matters such as the structural stability of the property, capacity of private drains, safety of materials (asbestos) and alcohol or gaming licences controlled under the Building regulations and other legislation
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Traffic Generation
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Allegations that the proposal may affect private rights such as rights to light, rights of way, access for maintenance and boundary disputes (these are usually private matters on which you may need to take your own legal advice).
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Conservation Area
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What happens after the decision is made?
If planning permission is granted, objectors do not have a right to appeal against the decision.
If the application is refused the applicant can submit an appeal|.