Planning comments, publication and personal details
After an English local planning authority receives a planning application, it undertakes a consultation period in which views on the proposed development can be expressed. The formal consultation period will normally last for 21 days, but the time for commenting is set out in the publicity accompanying the application. A local planning authority may consider a late comment at its discretion, but it has no obligation to do so.
Who can comment and what is considered
Anyone can respond to a planning consultation. Planning decisions must follow material development-plan policies unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Planning is concerned with land use in the public interest, so purely private interests such as an effect on property value or loss of private rights to light cannot be material considerations.
Dorset-specific deadlines and individual replies
Dorset-specific deadline rule: the expiry date for public comments varies by application and can be checked through Dorset Council’s online planning application search and comment service. Dorset-specific response rule: Dorset Council does not respond individually to submissions other than through an automated acknowledgement, but it considers comments received during determination.
Dorset-specific personal details and publication
Dorset-specific details rule: a person making a representation must provide Dorset Council with their name, address and email if applicable. Dorset-specific publication rule: Dorset Council displays comments on its website, including the commenter’s name and address. Dorset-specific anonymous-comment rule: a comment without a name and address is treated as anonymous, is not accepted and is not considered. An anonymous commenter will also not receive updates if the application goes to committee or appeal.
Dorset-specific channels and planning issues
Dorset-specific channel rule: Dorset Council does not accept comments through social media or by video. Dorset-specific examples of material considerations include overlooking and loss of privacy, loss of light or overshadowing, design, road safety, flood risk, and noise, disturbance or odour. Dorset-specific examples of issues the council cannot consider include loss of a private view, effects on property values, restrictive covenants, personal property rights and a developer’s motives, record or reputation.
Keep the Dorset rules local
Dorset Council’s requirements for personal details, publication, anonymous comments, response practices and submission channels are Dorset-specific and should not be treated as rules for every English council. For any planning consultation, the applicable time for comments is the period stated in the publicity accompanying that application.