Comment on a planning application

When an application is received, OPDC will write to neighbours, other stakeholders and statutory consultees. Depending on the scale and type of proposal, OPDC may also place a notice at the site and/or advertise the application in the local press. There is normally a minimum period of 21 days in which you can make comments on the plans. For larger or more complex applications, we may extend the period for submitting comments to 28 days.

Every planning application is considered and determined having regard to national policy, the London Plan, the draft OPDC Local Plan (or adopted Borough policies), relevant supplementary planning documents, and any other material planning considerations. When the public consultation period expires, officers will assess the whole scheme, including any public responses, and produce a report which will include a summary of, and response to, comments received.

Major applications will generally be decided by OPDC’s Planning Committee, however smaller schemes will normally be decided by senior planning officers.

Planning Committee is where major decisions on applications are made. The Committee is made up of Councillors from the local Boroughs and independent members. Find out more about the Planning Committee.

Planning Committee meetings are held in public and if you have made a comment on a planning application, you can register to speak in support of, or objection to, the proposals. You can find more information by reading the Protocol for Public Speaking at Planning Committee.

As the law stands, there is no right of appeal for third parties. In certain circumstances OPDC’s decision can be challenged in the courts if the Corporation has misinterpreted the law or if there were procedural irregularities with the application.

If OPDC refuses planning permission, or fails to determine an application within statutory timescales, the applicant has a right to appeal.