A decision could either be made under delegated authority or by the planning committee. Over 90% of applications are dealt with under delegated authority and the remainder are determined by the planning committee. For information on the planning committee process, see our planning committee page.
Delegated authority
The Head of Planning Services, Development Control Manager and Principal Planners have delegated authority to determine applications. The determining officer will consider the following before making a decision:
- the details of the application;
- all consultations received;
- the advice and recommendation of the case officer (officer's report).
Where there is a letter of representation contrary to an officer's recommendation, the decision will be made in consultation with the relevant local borough councillors.
Planning committee
The planning committee makes decisions on about 10% of the planning applications received. The most common ones are:
- where ten or more letters or emails have been received that are contrary to the officer's recommendation for the application;
- where an application will have a considerable effect on the borough, for example, a large housing or retail development;
- where the council is the applicant, for example, to redevelop a building which the council owns;
- where a councillor or council employee has made the application, or where the applicant is related to a councillor or council employee;
- where a Director or the Head of Planning Services asks the committee to decide the application;
- where a councillor asks the committee to decide the application for identified planning reasons.
An agenda is prepared before the planning committee containing the report and recommendation for each application being presented. This will be available to the public five working days before the meeting. Councillors receive a copy of the agenda. The case file and plans are also available to them.
The public can attend the planning committee meetings and listen to discussions about the applications. In certain situations, interested parties, including agent / applicant, can ask to speak at a committee meeting about a planning application (see below).
Public speaking scheme
If ten or more emails or letters have been received contrary to the officer's recommendation, there will be an opportunity to speak on the application at the planning committee. If you have submitted comments or representations on the application, we will notify you of the application has been referred to committee and invite you to speak at the committee.
A maximum of four people can speak about the application at the committee meeting, two supporting it and two objecting to it. Each person can speak for up to three minutes. As there can be no more than four speakers the scheme is operated on a 'first come, first served' basis.
For further information on the planning committee process, see what the planning committee does, in particular the planning committee guide on this page.
Decision Notice
Following the decision made by either the planning committee or an officer with delegated authority, the decision notice will be issued to the applicant or their agent.
Note: The decision notice will be sent to the contact name given on the application form. Where both applicant and agent details are filled out, the notice will always be sent to the agent.
Timescale
We aim to issue decisions on applications within the government target of 8 weeks for householder and minor applications, 13 weeks for major applications and 16 weeks for an application with an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Planning Enquiries
Guildford Borough council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BP
Tel: 01483 444609
Email: planningenquiries@guildford.gov.uk