What are Development Control Committee Meetings ?

Development Control Committee meetings are held to consider planning applications which are not decided by planning officers. The Committee considers applications in relation to planning policy, the representations received from members of
the public, consultation responses and the recommendations of the planning officer.

Where are the meetings held ?

The meetings are normally held every three weeks on a Tuesday evening at 6.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the offices of South Derbyshire District Council in Swadlincote. How to find us. The layout of the Council Chamber is shown in the diagram (right).

Can I speak at meetings ?

Anyone wishing to speak at the Committee may be able to do so, subject to the procedure set out in this guidance. Only
those members of the public who have already submitted a written representation will be allowed to speak. When people speak about an application, their comments are considered in the light of planning policy along with other relevant information, including any written representations.

Who can speak ?

Two people are able to speak on an application. One person is allowed to speak on behalf of any objectors and one person
may speak in support of the application. If more than one person wishes to speak for or against the same application, they should choose a representative to speak on behalf of everyone. The contact details of the first person to register will be passed on to others so that they can nominate a representative. If no representative is chosen, the first person
to ask to speak will be given the opportunity.

How do I arrange to speak ?

If you wish to speak about an application that is being considered by the Committee, you must register by telephone during office hours with the Democratic Services Unit. Registration is from 10.00 a.m. on the Tuesday 7 days prior to the meeting until 5.00 p.m. on the day before the meeting (normally Monday). Office hours are 8.45 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. on Monday to Thursday and 8.45 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. on Friday. The contact details are at the end of this leaflet.

How long can I speak for ?

The chosen person will be able to speak for 3 Minutes. The Chair will advise you when you have 30 seconds left. After 3 minutes, you will be asked to stop speaking and you will not be able to address the Committee after this time.

What can I speak about ?

You should state your views and comments. You should not ask questions of other speakers or the Committee. The Committee is only able to consider planning issues. Therefore, you should limit yourself to comments on these issues. Examples might include the following:-

• The suitability of the site for this particular development;
• The design, appearance and layout
of the proposal;
• Any loss of light or privacy;
• Any noise, disturbance or smell;
• Highway safety or traffic;
• The effect on the character or amenity of an area; or
• Whether the development is consistent with the Council’s planning policy and government guidance.

You should avoid speaking about matters
that are not planning issues, such as the
following:-

• Matters covered by other laws
(e.g. alcohol licences or health and
safety laws);
• Private property rights
(e.g. boundary or access disputes);
• Personal remarks
(e.g. the applicant’s morals or motives);
• The effect on the value of property;
• The effect on competition for other
businesses;
• Possible future development; and
• Loss of views over other people’s land. 

You should not make statements that are personal or defamatory. You should not be abusive or interrupt other speakers or Members of the Committee. You will not be able to present documents or photographs at the meeting. If you wish, you
may submit these to the Council before the meeting. If you wish to check about what you want to say, you should contact the relevant planning officer for the application.

What happens at the meetings ?

The agenda for the meeting will list the applications to be considered. For each application, there is normally a short presentation by the planning officer. After the presentation, the Chair will announce whether there are any speakers. He will then invite the objector or representative of the objectors to come to the front of the room. The objector will then be able to make their presentation.

Once they have finished speaking, the objector will return to the public seats at
the rear of the Chamber. They will not be able to ask any questions and the Committee will not ask questions of them. The Chair will then invite the applicant, their representative or supporter to come to the front of the room. The applicant will then be able to make their presentation. Once they have finished speaking, the applicant will return to the public seats at the rear of the Chamber.

They will not be able to ask any questions and the Committee will not ask questions of them. The Committee will then discuss the application. If there is a debate, the Chair will ask for comments from Members of the Committee (for example, whether they wish to express support for granting permission or express a desire to refuse permission).

Applicants, objectors and members of the public cannot make any comments during this discussion. Normally the Committee will vote on a motion moved by a Committee Member to approve, refuse or defer consideration of the
application. The decision will be one of the following:-

• To approve the application subject to conditions;
• To refuse the application for specific reasons; 
• To defer consideration to allow additional information to be collected or negotiations to be carried out;
• To defer consideration to allow the Committee to visit the application site (for example, where the Committee considers that viewing the site would help them to reach a decision); or
• To delegate the final decision to the planning officer (for example, where a legal agreement or amended plans
  are required before the application can be decided).

The Chair will announce the decision after consideration of each application

Further Information

For further information, or to register to speak about an application, please contactus at:Democratic Services
South Derbyshire District Council
Civic Offices, Civic Way, Swadlincote
Derbyshire DE11 0AH

Tel : 01283 595848 Fax : 01283 228711

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