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Guide for those affected by Planning Proposals
This information deals specifically with development control and sets out the service we provide to people affected by planning proposals. We hope you find the information useful
We appreciate that not every planning proposal will be popular or widely accepted. Nevertheless our aim is to provide you with a level of advice, information and service that enables you to feel adequately aware of planning proposals that may affect you, and given you appropriate guidance on how best to respond.
At the end of the process, whilst you may not necessarily support the outcome, we hope in all circumstances you will at least feel you have been treated properly and been given a decent service.

The Planning Service
The planning system seeks to guide appropriate development to the right place and prevent development which is not acceptable. It is a proven means for securing sustainable development which provides homes, jobs and services such as roads and schools while protecting and enhancing the best of our urban and rural environment. Most new buildings, major alterations to existing buildings, changes of use of land and buildings and some engineering operations need planning permission. Some minor development such as a small extension to a house may be allowed as "permitted development" and hence may not require planning permission.
In making planning decisions we aim to:-
  • make sure the environment is not damaged for future generations.
  • find the right balance between social, environmental and economic considerations.
  • listen to the views of local people on planning issues.
These are not always easy balances to strike and we realise that planning proposals can often raise very emotive issues.
We will always process planning applications having regard to the policies in the Spelthorne Borough Local Plan and/or Surrey Structure Plan and other relevant Central Government planning advice (where applicable), unless material planning considerations exceptionally dictate otherwise. We will also have regard to the local environment, the appearance of the area and the likely impact on the quality of lives of local people.
The standards we aim to meet
Our target is to provide a customer responsive planning service. If you are submitting a planning application we aim to:-
  • provide you with guidance and advice on your proposals before you make an application.
  • respond to a written request for advice within 10 working days.
  • return your calls within 1 working day.
  • acknowledge your application within 5 working days of receipt, giving you the name of the case officer who will be dealing with the application and a target date for a decision, which will be no longer than 8 weeks from the date your application is received in a valid form.
  • write to (or contact) you within 5 working days if you application is incomplete or invalid explaining what is missing or how to correct any mistakes.
  • negotiate with you to achieve improvements to submitted proposals in order to raise the quality of development in the Borough, or to overcome possible objections. However this will normally only apply where the changes are relatively small scale and where these can be achieved in a single set of amendments.
  • advise you of the Planning Committee date on which your application will be considered (provided it is not an application to be determined under delegated powers).
  • NOTE: delegated powers are powers delegated to nominated senior planning staff by the Director of Community Services and allow certain specified planning applications to be dealt with without going to Planning Committee.
  • summarise letters or statements in support of your application to the Planning Committee.
  • provide you with details of our public speaking arrangements, and give you the opportunity to address the Planning Committee (provided your application is one that is dealt with by Committee).
  • make all consultations and objection letters in the relevant planning file available to you at least 3 working days before your application is due to be considered by the Planning Committee.
  • make decisions on planning applications in accordance with the Spelthorne Borough Local Plan and Surrey Structure Plan unless there are good reasons for an exception to be made.
  • deal with your application as speedily as possible. We aim to determine 75% of all applications and 83% of householder applications within 8 weeks of receipt as set out in the Council's Best Value Performance Plan. However in order to maintain this high level of performance we will normally determined your application as submitted or upon receipt of a single set of amendments (if this can be achieved within the 8 week period).
  • respond to your enquiries in a timely, helpful and courteous manner.
  • send out 85% of all decision notices within 3 working days of the decision being made (unless a legal agreement is involved).
  • advise you how to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate if you are not happy with our decision.

What to do if you are likely to be affected by a planning proposal
When you find out about a planning application which could affect you the first thing you need to do is look at the plans at the Council's Knowle Green offices. Our Central Reception staff will assist you with any initial queries.
If you wish to discuss the application in detail it is best to telephone the case officer to enable your queries to be explained and dealt with over the telephone.
Following your contact with the Council and inspection of the plans you should make any comments, either in support or opposition, in writing addressed to the case officer. It is always helpful if you could quote the application reference number. Your letter should essentially concentrate on the aspects of the proposal which affect the amenity (or enjoyment) of your property.
In addition to making your comments known in writing you may also wish to contact one of your local Councillors to make further representations on your behalf. It is suggested that you initially contact your local Ward Member.
Your letter will receive an acknowledgement and it will be read by the case officer and place on the relevant application file to be taken into account as the application progresses.
Within a week or so of registering the application the case officer will visit the application site and will, in due course, prepare a report and recommendation after having had regard to all the relevant planning considerations, including all letters of representation.
Occasionally the case officer will need to assess the proposal from neighbouring land, although this will rarely be essential.
Following the determination of the application we will write to you advising you of the decision.

Right of Appeal
If, at the end of the process, you have objected to a proposal but permission has been granted, there is no right of appeal available to you. In such circumstances however it does not mean your concerns have "simply been ignored". Rather, that after carefully assessing all the issues involved, the merits of the proposal in planing terms, outweighed the extend of objections on this occasion.

Who to contact in Planning about Development Control
The case officer - each planning application is allocated to a named case officer. The name is given on the acknowledgement letter and is referred to in the top right hand corner of any other letter you receive from us. The reference number for the application will also be shown on the letter.

What to do if you are not happy with the service
If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received please write or telephone Heather Morgan, Head of Planning and Building Control Services on 01784 446352. All written complaints will be investigated and a written response given within 14 days. If you are not happy with the response you receive Spelthorne Borough Council has a formal complaints procedure as detailed below.

Spelthorne's Complaints Procedure
Spelthorne Borough Council is committed to providing a high level of service to everyone in the community we serve. We try very hard of course to avoid anybody having to make a complaint. However there may be a time when you remain unhappy about some aspect of our planning service. In the first instance we always recommend you contact the Head of Planning in an attempt to resolve the problem.

Other Contacts
Assistant Head of Planning
Paul Underwood - Tel: 01784 446351
Principal Planning Officer
Esmé Spinks - Tel: 01784 446356

General Information