Development Control Committee

The Development Control Committee deals with approximately 15% of applications.

The remaining applications are determined by the Development Services Manager under what are called delegated powers.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Development Control Committee meetings, where you are invited to speak directly to the committee (if you wish) on planning applications which you feel will affect you.

In these pages you will find out about:

What happens at the meeting
Who’s on the Committee
Where and when it meets
How to arrange to speak at the Committee
What’s on the next Committee agenda
What happened at the meetings

Attending the Committee

If you decide to attend the Development Control Committee, a copy of the agenda is available online and hard copies are available amongst the public seating area of the Committee room. Agendas are also available at local libraries, town council offices and presence offices in Attleborough and Thetford.

Some decisions on applications are deferred so that further information can be obtained by the Committee such as a site visit, before making a decision on an application.

When and where is Committee Held?

Development Control Committee generally meets every 3 weeks, on a Monday starting at 09.30am in the Anglia Room, The Conference Suite, Elizabeth House, Dereham. Click here for Dates of Committee.

How can I find out when an application will be considered by committee?

Very broadly, applications are considered by Development Control Committee if:

The application is called in by a District Councillor and the Chairman agrees, or
The proposal is of large scale, or
The proposal conflicts with planning policy but there are other planning reasons to support

Otherwise, the decision is likely to be made by the officers under delegated powers and there is no right to speak on these matters.

NB: A new officer delegation agreement came into force on 1st September 2006. For more information, click here.

Applicants or their agent and the Parish Council are informed by letter of the date of the relevant Development Control Committee, as are individuals who have written in support or to object.

If you wish to speak at the meeting it is important to check whether an application is included in the agenda. The agenda, which includes full details of the proposals together with officers’ assessments and recommendations, is published on our website www.breckland.gov.uk ten days before the meeting. (On homepage, click on "Looking for minutes/agendas", then click on "link to minutes and agendas search". Under "Find Pages" enter relevant reference number against "with the exact phrase" then click on "Search").

The agenda is also available to view at the Council Offices and local libraries. Alternatively you can contact the Planning Technicians for further information.

Who can speak at the meeting?

See “order of presentation at the meeting”.

Note: Objectors and supporters are advised wherever possible to have a single spokesperson for the relevant group as there is a time limit on speaking.

How do I arrange to speak at the meeting?

In writing, addressed to the Usher, well in advance of the meeting, and to arrive no later than Friday before the Development Control Committee meeting. Please include a contact number where possible as applications are sometimes deferred or withdrawn from the Committee and confirm your interest in the application e.g. applicant, objector, representative of parish council.
By telephoning or e-mailing the Usher before 4 pm on the Friday before the Development Control Committee meeting. Please include a contact number or full e-mail address and confirm your interest in the application (see above).

The list of speakers for the meeting will close at 4 pm on the Friday before the meeting. Anyone informing the Usher of their intention to speak after that time and/or on the morning of the meeting will only be registered in exceptional circumstances and with the Chairman's approval. Please arrive and report to the Usher by 9.15 am on the day as the meeting will commence at 9.30 am. If you have any other queries, please contact the Usher.

When and for how long can I speak?

A number of applications and reports are considered at the Development Control Committee meetings. Applications on which people wish to speak will generally be brought forward in the agenda.

Priority is given to items where a District Councillor is intending to speak. Each speaker will be given a maximum of 3 minutes or in the case of more than one objector or supporter wishing to speak, 3 minutes for each relevant group. The time will be allocated to a spokesperson or shared between all speakers for each group. Where an applicant and their agent intend to speak the 3 minutes is split between the 2.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to give an exact time when an application will be heard. You should be prepared to be at the meeting for the majority of the day.

What can I say at the meeting?

Please try to be brief and to the point. Limit your comments to the application and relevant planning issues, for example:

Planning policy (Government guidance and Local Plans)
Design, appearance, layout and effect on nearby property
Noise disturbance, smell and residential amenity
Highway safety and traffic issues
Impact on trees, conservation areas, listed buildings or nature conservation.

Note: There are issues which are not relevant to planning. We would wish to hear all your views but some may not be able to be taken into account by Committee when the decision is made.

Can I use illustrative material to make my point?

Yes you can bring maps, plans or photographs which can be shown to Committee by the officers as part of your presentation.

Order of Presentation at the Meeting

The top table consists of The Chairman, the Principal Planning Officer, the Development Services Manager, and Breckland Council’s Solicitor. The Committee Clerk is also in attendance. The Chairman and the remainder of the Committee are elected members.

The Chairman will announce the particular item to be heard and the planning officer will present the report based on the agenda item, which will be available for you to read. The Chairman will then invite each speaker to address the Committee. The order of speakers is generally: Ward Representatives – Supporters – Objectors – Parish/Town Council – Applicant/Agent. The Ward Representative may also speak at the end. You may stand or sit and any photographs or documents you bring along can be displayed on the screen. You have up to three minutes to put your points, subject to the restraints outlined above, and if you are happy to answer questions it may be helpful. When all the speakers have been heard, there will be a discussion amongst the members and a decision will be made. When the particular item you have an interest in has been heard, you may leave the meeting. If you have any further queries on the day, please speak to the usher.

Are decisions taken at the meeting?

Most applications will be determined at the Committee. Occasionally a decision may be deferred for further information or a site visit. You have the right to speak at the meeting when the application is re-considered. Contact the Development Control Team to check when the matter will be referred to Committee and let the usher know if you will be attending.

Do I have to attend the meeting to make my comments known to Committee?

No you can:

Put your comments in writing. Whilst the full text of any letters received in connection with a planning application is not relayed to Committee members, any issues and concerns will be included in the assessment and/or referred to in the officer’s presentation.
Ask your District Councillor to speak for you.
If the officer’s recommendation is the same as your view, you may decide not to attend and speak. However, the officer recommendation is not always agreed by Committee.

Who to Contact

The Usher

The Planning Technicians

General Planning Telephone No. 01362 656873