If you would like to comment on a current planning application, you will need to:
Planning Development Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444609
Email: planningenquiries@guildford.gov.uk
You will need to include the application name and reference number, as well as your name, email address and postal address. We will acknowledge your email or letter but due to the number of written comments we receive for each application, this acknowledgement cannot respond to any of the points you raise about the application.
Note: Please be aware that although email is a reliable form of communication, for a variety of reasons, emails may sometimes be delayed or lost in transmission. If you do not receive an acknowledgement from Planning Development Services within 48 hours, please contact us on 01483 444609. We may ask you to re-send your comments by letter or fax.
Will my comments be taken into account?
All comments received will be available for public inspection, either at our offices or online. All comments received are passed to the case officer for consideration, regardless of the time taken to appear online (which is within 3-5 working days of acknowledgement). We carefully consider all of the comments we receive when considering an application. However, we can only base our decision on planning policy and planning matters. These include relevant policies, government guidance, design issues, privacy, traffic, access, landscaping, noise and the impact on public amenity. Planning considerations do not include covenants and other private property matters; the effect on property values; loss of a view; matters covered by other legislation; or the character or motives of the applicant.
How will a decision be made?
It is likely that delegated powers will be used to make a decision on the application, once the 21 day consultation period is over. This will involve the case officer visiting the site, considering the consultation responses and all other planning issues, and then making a recommendation. The Head of Planning Development Services, using delegated powers, will consider the officer's recommendation and make a decision.
In cases where there are objections, or the recommendation is for refusal, we will ask the local councillors to consider the recommendation before a decision is made. If the councillors disagree with the recommendation on planning grounds, the application will go to the next available planning committee meeting. The case officer's report will be on the case file once a decision has been made.
Can I be involved in the committee meeting?
We operate a public speaking scheme that allows the public and interested parties to address the planning committee when applications are being considered. For more information, please view our Guide to planning committee meetings [PDF] (87k).