The planning process
We will acknowledge your application within a few days. Before we grant or refuse planning permission we will consult with others and assess your application against local plan policies and guidance.
When we receive a planning application, we follow the steps described on this page.
Validation
We will check whether we have all the information we need. For further information about the validation process you can download best practice guidance.
Registration and scanning
Once the application has been validated, it will be registered, allocated to a planning officer and scanned. We will then display the details and plans of the application on our website.
Consultation
We will consult with neighbours, the Environment Agency and the parish council. We may also prepare site notices and press notices to inform interested parties. We will also consult colleagues in conservation, highways and listed buildings. Members of the public can also comment. We cannot reject your proposal simply because many people are against it.
Assessment of the application
We will assess your application against local plan policies and guidance and look at the planning history of the site (if any). We will look also to see what account has been taken of guidance documents - South Gloucestershire Design Guide, our guidance in the Statement of Community Involvement and the Building for Life criteria. In most cases a planning officer will visit the site to assess the impact of the proposed development.
We will also consider potential traffic problems, the effect on the amenity and the impact the proposal may have on the appearance of the surrounding area.
A Photograph Protocol for Officers taking and using photographs on private land is available in the read more section.
Making a decision
We will make a decision on your application within eight weeks (or 13 weeks for a major application) from the date a complete application is received. Sometimes, for example if a lot of people are affected by the proposed development, we may ask to extend this period.
How decisions are made
Planning officers can make decisions on minor planning applications.
Circulated schedule, site inspections and committees
Applications may appear on circulated schedule if they:
- Are applications for major developments, where comments contrary to the recommendation are received
- Are applications made by the council
- Are where a representation contrary to the planning officer's recommendation has been received
The applications are circulated to members of the council to consider if it is necessary to 'call in' for a site visit or for determination by the planning committee. The Development Control Sites Inspection Sub-Committee and the Development Control Planning Committee agendas and reports can be viewed though the link in the 'Do it now' section of this page. The committee report schedules are available a week before the committee meeting. The minutes of a particular committee are available by viewing the papers for the following meeting at which they are approved.
Also, if planning officers or members of the council are unable to make a decision on an application, for example where they are contrary to planning policies they are considered by planning committee.
Large proposals or controversial applications may be 'called in' so that the Secretary of State can decide them.
If the application is not 'called in' a decision is made based on the planning officer's original recommendation.