New buildings, major alterations, enlargement of existing buildings and many changes in the use of buildings and land require planning permission. "Development Control" may be considered as finding a balance between the pressures, and often the need, for change and the wish of most people to see the countryside and the character of our villages and towns protected.

Protection ranges from keeping historic buildings and streets largely unchanged, or preventing increasing problems of noise, pollution and traffic congestion, to minimising the loss of good farmland.

In simple terms, protection may mean balancing the desire to build, against wider issues relating to public amenity. It is the responsibility of the Development Control Group to ensure that this balance is achieved.