Committee Information
Determining Applications
In considering an application, the Local Planning Authority must
have regard to the "provisions of the development plan, so far as
material to the application, and to any other material
considerations." The Council is not bound absolutely by the
provisions of the development plan, but if it wishes to approve any
application which departs significantly from the plan it must
inform the National Assembly for Wales which can call it in for
their determination.
There is no legislative definition of what is "material". The
Council will take into account relevant planning policies and
standards, and have regard to the site's previous planning history
and to Government circulars and policy notes. Decisions on previous
appeals also provide guidance as to what are relevant
considerations. Once the stages of consultation and publicity have
been undertaken, the planning officer dealing with the application
will, after visiting the site, present a report for submission
either to the Head of Planning and Transportation if the
application is within the "officer delegated" category or to the
Council's Planning Committee if not.
Current planning applications may be inspected at the Dock
Office reception during normal office hours. However, the case
officer may not be available without a prior appointment.
Generally over 80% of the applications received are determined
under the Council's officer delegated scheme, and a full copy of
the officer delegation scheme, including the types of applications
so included, can be inspected at the Division. In very general
terms, the smaller proposals e.g. house extensions, advertisements,
changes of use etc. are usually "officer delegated" whereas the
larger or potentially more controversial applications are
determined by the Planning Committee.
Planning Committee Meetings
The public are entitled to attend meetings of the Planning
Committee. However, they are not entitled to speak to or address
the committee. Representations can, however, be made directly to
any Councillor. A list of all Councillors and those currently
sitting on the Planning Committee can be inspected at the Dock
Office.
Where the application is to be considered by the Planning
Committee, a written report is produced for inclusion within the
agenda. The complete agenda and all background papers (unless of a
confidential nature) may be viewed 3 working days before the
committee meeting. Copies of reports are available for inspection
in the Legal Division at the Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry. The
Council can grant permission unconditionally or subject to
conditions as it thinks fit, or can refuse permission.