Town Councils have the right to make comments on planning applications affecting their area.
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The planning authority (normally South Norfolk Council, although occasionally it can be the County Council) allows a Town Council 21 days to respond to a planning application. The application will be considered by the Town Council at either the next council meeting or by the Planning Committee and will feature on an agenda as an item to be discussed.
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Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings and may speak during the public participation item on the agenda to give their views on a planning application. They are also encouraged to provide their own comments on South Norfolk's planning pages (see link below).
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If there is not a meeting within the 21 days, the Town Council is usually able to extend the time-limit. Whilst the overall decision is the planning authority’s, the Town Council’s local knowledge, combined with an understanding of the planning process, and the Neighbourhood Plan means that its views are more likely to be heard by the planning authority, so long as the Town Council provides valid planning ‘material considerations’.
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On the planning committee are Councillors Andrew Lansdell, Judith Baker, David Willis, Diane Woodham, Susan Smith, Helen Dickerson and Robin Ciora.