Objecting to Planning Applications

This section outlines the standard of service which you can expect when you wish to comment on a planning application and how we will deal with your comments. If you wish to make a comment on a specific application via the web, you may do so by using the Council's comment form which is available via the online planning pages. Only comments sent containing correct/valid application details will be accepted.

What happens when you comment on a planning application?

• Your letter/email will be acknowledged within 10 working days of receipt (usually in the form of a letter).
• Only comments received within the publicity period will be taken into account.
• The acknowledgment will tell you who is dealing with the application and who to contact if you have any questions.
• All comments received about an application are made public, and the name and address of anyone who comments will appear on our website.
• The applicant has the right to see your comment.

What will we do about your objections and comments?

This depends on the individual case and the type of comments received.

• Some comments cannot be taken into account because they are not planning matters.
• Where appropriate we may seek to negotiate with the applicant to obtain a revised scheme to overcome objections.
• It is not possible to keep you personally informed of what, if any, changes to a scheme are negotiated. However, if amendments are received which have a significant bearing on public objections, then, when appropriate, we may re-consult.
• We cannot become involved in essentially private issues between members of the public.
• The planning officer dealing with the application will form a professional view on the acceptability or otherwise of the proposal. This may involve assessing responses to consultations from other Council departments or outside bodies as well as comments from local residents.

Consideration of objections is only one part of the process of deciding an application. There are other planning related factors that need to be considered in reaching a decision. In some cases, if these other factors are of greater substance than the objections received, the Chief Development Control Officer will recommend to the Development Control sub committee that, whilst objections should be taken into account, other factors need to be weighed in the balance.

What is a valid objection?

The relevant issues in a planning application vary from case to case but the following matters may be included:-

• Conservation of buildings and the natural environment.
• Trees.
• Design, appearance and layout.
• Character of an area.
• Noise, disturbance and smells.
• Highway safety and traffic.
• Previous planning applications.
• Development Plan Policies, Government guidance and legislation.
• Loss of amenity. Whilst loss in amenity is subjective, the following points may be considered:-
• The effect of a proposal on sunlight and daylight.
• The effect on the privacy of neighbours.
• Whether the proposed development will have an overbearing effect on neighbouring properties.
• Visual impact where applicable.

Although you do not have a right to a view over someone else's land, if we consider a proposal to be unreasonable regarding impact on your outlook we will try to negotiate changes to help overcome this shortcoming.

What matters are not valid objections?

These will vary from case to case but the following matters are usually not relevant:-

• Issues covered by other laws e.g. Licensing, Building Control, Health and Safety Regulations.
• Private property rights (e.g. boundary or access disputes).
• The developer's morals, motivation or activities elsewhere.
• Perceived impact on property values.
• Competition between businesses.

What happens next?

• The Head of Development Control will recommend to the committee whether the application should be approved or refused.
• The Development Control Committee meetings are held every four weeks in a committee room in the Civic Offices.
• The meetings are usually held on Wednesdays.
• They normally start at 2.30pm with Zone 1, the Western Wards, items.
• Then, at times not earlier than those set in advance, items from Zone 2, Fareham Town, and Zone 3, eastern (and southern) wards are heard.
• Both the applicant and any objectors may speak to their local councillors about the application.
• As an applicant, objector or supporter you may address the committee if you apply a few days before to make a deputation
• Once the committee have made their decision on the application, if you have made written comments, you will be notified of this in writing within 15 working days of the decision being made.
• You will be given details of who to contact if you wish to know more about the decision.

What if you are not happy with the decision?

As an objector, you have no right of appeal (an applicant does). However the Case Officer or a Team Leader in the Development Control Section will be pleased to explain why the Council made their decision.

What can I do if I am not happy about the service I have received?

If you want to make a complaint about our service, please do so to a member of staff or by using our feedback form or by writing to: the Head of Development Control, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham.  Please quote the application reference number (if known) in any correspondence. You have the right to speak to a supervisor or manager regarding your complaint. The member of staff will record your complaint and explain to you how it will be investigated. A copy of our complaints procedure is available at all Council premises.