The local planning authority is Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC). Its Planning Department notifies Southill Parish Council of all planning applications that affect the Parish.
The Parish Council, as a statutory consultee of CBC, is asked to consider and comment on all planning applications within the Parish. The Parish Council is consulted for its local knowledge but does not determine a Planning Application.
Decisions are made by the CBC planning officers using delegated powers or by the planning committee made up of CBC Councillors. Their decisions are based upon policies set out CBC’s Local Plan and Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
CBC must take into account, but not necessarily follow, the views or recommendations of the Parish Council. The Parish Council’s comments upon individual planning applications considered at meetings are normally included in their minutes which are available on the Meetings page.
The Parish Council has the right (separate from supporters & objectors) to speak at the planning meetings if they feel strongly enough about a particular development.
Developers and the Parish Council
Any potential developer, especially for major developments, is encouraged to contact the Parish Council and meet with it to discuss their proposals prior to submitting an application to the Planning Authority. This can assist the developer in providing a more community led development, taking local knowledge and views into account.
How to view a planning application
The planning authority posts up public notices of planning applications affecting a property close to that property. Typically such notices will be attached to a nearby telegraph pole or sign post. Some notices are also published in the local newspaper of public record, the Biggleswade Chronicle.
Full details of planning applications appear on CBC web site. They can also be viewed in Shefford library and the CBC offices at Chicksands.
How to object to a Planning Application
First you should view the plans and supporting documentation. If you then wish to object you can write to or email CBC, or make a comment on-line. You may wish to send a copy to the Parish Clerk so that the Parish Council is aware of your views.
Only material planning considerations can be taken into account. For example “overlooking and loss of privacy” is a material consideration while “negative impact on property value” is not. A list of material and non-material considerations is given by CBC here on a page that also has other practical information about commenting on applications. CBC has also provided a useful guidance document on how to make such comments on-line.
If you do wish to object there is also a lot of excellent guidance on the internet. Here is an example: How to object to a planning application
You may also make comment to the Parish Council at the appropriate meeting, but the Council is not obliged to pass on any such comments to the planning authority. The Parish Clerk will be able to tell you when a particular application is due to come before the Parish Council. It will also be listed in the associated papers with the agenda for that meeting, published as soon as it is available, usually no later than five days before the meeting.