What does the planning committee do?

View our meeting schedule for 2008-09 [PDF](42k) or 2009-10 [PDF](43k) to find out the dates of planning committee meetings, our councillor database to find out the members of the planning committee, and the planning committee meetings agenda and minutes.

Our planning committee guide [PDF] (110k) and our planning committee chairman's welcome letter [PDF] (36k) give more detailed information on the planning committee process and public speaking at committee meetings.

We also have a Fairness in planning code of practice leaflet [PDF] (130k), which relates to our elected members' involvement in the planning process.

What does the planning committee do?
Our planning committee makes decisions on about 10% of the planning applications we receive. All other applications are decided by the head of Planning Services under delegated powers. The planning committee will make a decision on applications:

where we have received 10 or more letters or emails that disagree with the officer's recommendation for the application
that will have a considerable effect on the borough. For example, a large housing or retail development
that we have made e.g. to redevelop a building that we own
that a councillor or a council employee has made, or when the applicant is related to a councillor or council employee
that the director, or the head of Planning Services asks the committee to decide
that a councillor asks the committee to decide for planning reasons

The agenda for the meeting contains reports that planning officers have written for each application being presented to the committee. At the end of each report, the officer will make a recommendation to refuse or approve the application. Members of the committee will have read each report before the meeting takes place. They will also have looked at the case file and plans.

Who is on the committee?
The planning committee is made up of 23 borough councillors. A further 14 councillors are named as substitute members. The e-mail address to send an message to all members of the Planning Committee is: Planningcommitteemembers@guildford.gov.uk .

When and where do planning committee meetings take place?
Planning Committee meetings normally take place every three weeks. Meetings are on Tuesday evenings and start at 7pm. Occasionally there are special meetings to discuss major applications.

Agendas are published five working days before a meeting and free copies are available at each committee meeting as well as on our website. Minutes are available on our website shortly after the meeting.

Can anyone attend a planning committee meeting?
Any member of the public can attend our planning committee meetings and listen to the discussions about applications and other public issues on the public part of the agenda. In certain situations, you can ask to speak at a committee meeting about a planning application you're interested in. If you would like to speak, you will need to have arranged this with us before the meeting please refer to our planning committee guide [PDF] (110k) for further information.

Committee Administrator
Legal and Democratic Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444106
Email: committeeservices@guildford.gov.uk