Commenting on planning application's

How do I make a comment?

Online

You can make a comment online by going to search planning applications, searching for the application, and selecting comment on this application at the bottom of the page.

By email or post

You can email your comments to devcon@preston.gov.uk.

Comments must include:

•  the date
•  name and address of sender
•  application number
•  site address

Please note

• Anonymous comments, letters or emails will not be accepted or taken into consideration in the determination of applications.
• If you send a comment by email or online, you do not need to send us a hard copy in the post. Electronic comments carry just as much weight as written comments, and are processed in the same way.
• Any written comments you make about an application, by law, must be publicly available. Members of the public including the applicant will be able to read or obtain copies of any written representation that you send to us.

What happens when I comment on an application?

We are unable to acknowledge the receipt of comments, nor can we enter into correspondence with you on any points raised. Planning applications may be determined either by senior officers or by the Planning Committee. Your comments will be taken into account whichever method is used. We will then notify you of the council's decision.

Who can comment?

Anyone can make a comment. You do not need to live near the application site or have received a letter from us to comment.

How do I find out about an application?

We publicise planning applications by writing to close neighbours of the site. We also publish a weekly list of planning applications which you can view on the weekly lists page. Some applications are advertised in the local press and/or by a site notice displayed on or near the application site.

How long do I have to comment?

A period of 21 days is stated on any site notice, press notice and neighbour notification letter. At the end of this statutory period a decision may be made on an application. Because of this we cannot guarantee to take into consideration comments received after that date. We will however, take into account, comments received up to the date a decision is made.

How can I look at an application?

You can inspect planning applications including application forms, drawings and other relevant information through our planning search.

Comments which can be taken into account

A decision is made by considering a number of different matters called material considerations.  The most important will be what policies of the development plan for the area may say about the proposal. The development plan includes the Regional Spatial Strategy and the saved policies of the Preston Local Plan. Government Policy, advice notes, and other planning considerations will also be taken into account.

These include:

• Scale, appearance and design of the proposal
• Impact on the residential amenity of local residents including loss of light
• Overlooking and loss of privacy; noise and disturbance
• Impact on the character of the area and whether the use is appropriate
• Effect on highway safety and parking
• Effect on nature conservation and trees
• Effect on a Conservation Area
• Effect on a Listed Building

Comments which cannot be taken into account

The government makes it very clear that there are some things that are not planning considerations. These cannot be taken into account and include:

• Loss of property value
• Boundary disputes
• Private matters between neighbours, such as covenants, rights of access and damage to property
• Trade competition

Local support or opposition

Local opposition in itself is not a reason for refusing planning permission. Opposition should be based on valid planning reasons, which can be supported by evidence. These will be considered alongside other planning matters such as planning policies, Government guidance and advice, and the views of a wide variety of bodies and authorities, which we are obliged to consult. Weight of local opposition to a scheme does not necessarily mean that an application should be refused. Similarly, local support for a scheme does not mean that planning permission should be granted.