View or Comment on a Planning Application

Access to Information on Planning Applications

The Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 allows the public to inspect, and make copies of, documents in connection with current planning applications. The Council’s online Planning Register has all application forms, plans and any other supporting information (and decision notices following determination) available to view at any time.

Some information, such as letters received from neighbours, is not automatically exported to view on the planning register but can be made available on request once personal information has been redacted. Information shall be made available as soon as possible and no later than 20 working days after the date of receipt of the request.

For Closed / Determined planning applications, a request needs to be made to view these documents where they are not already available online. Under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, local authorities are entitled to charge a reasonable fee for the provision of this information. 

Comment on a Planning Application

If you wish to comment on a planning application, the easiest way to do this is to view the application on the Planning Register  and to use the relevant link at the top of the page 'comment on this planning application' to submit your comments.

Alternatively you can email planning@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or write to Planning, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Dock Office, Barry, CF63 4RT.

Please note that any comments submitted will be available to view on request, accordingly please ensure that you do not include any information that you do not wish to be published such as phone numbers or email addresses in your response. Any obscene or defamatory comments will not be published and will not be taken into account.

Comments should only relate to the development proposals and relevant planning matters which can include, for example: impacts on the privacy and amenity of neighbouring properties; design; traffic and parking; impacts on heritage and environmental assets; and sustainability. Please note that matters of private interest will not be relevant, such as: loss of a view; impact on property value; or boundary / land disputes.

Watch or Speak at Planning Committee   

COVID 19 - Coronavirus Pandemic

Due to current restrictions and the requirement for social distancing, Council meetings will not be held at their usual location. Meetings of the Council will be taking place virtually and ‘attendance’ will be restricted to Members of the Council, relevant officers and any registered to speak ‘interested parties’ where appropriate.  These meetings will not be webcast live but recorded for subsequent transmission via the Council’s public website.

Planning Committee meet once a month (usually at 4pm on a Wednesday) to consider those planning applications that have been ‘called-in’ by Local Councillors or more major development proposals not covered by the Council’s scheme of delegation.

The public are entitled to attend meetings of the Planning Committee to hear proceedings (note COVID restrictions above). Comments can be made in writing before the meeting, but there is also a provision for public speaking at the meeting.

You can register to speak at Planning Committee to express your concerns or support for a development. The window for registering to speak becomes active 6 days prior to the meeting and expires at 5.00pm 2 working days prior to the meeting (usually from 8.30am on the Thursday to 5.00pm on the Monday prior to the Wednesday evening meeting).

Planning Committee meetings, including the public speaking part, are usually recorded and broadcast via a live webcast link (note COVID restrictions above) and archived for future viewing on the Council’s website.

How Your Comments Count

Comments received within time will be considered by the case officer and where necessary this may prompt amendments to the planning application. Comments will be reported in the officer’s report and taken into account by the decision makers - either the Chief Planning Officer or Planning Committee.

We will accept and report comments received up until 12 p.m. on the day before Planning Committee. These comments are reported by email to Committee members on the evening before Committee and are presented in hard copy at the actual meeting. 

Where you have registered to speak at Planning Committee, comments made will be considered by those present before making a decision. You may be asked further points of clarification from Committee Members at the meeting.

Where an appeal against a refusal of planning permission is made, your comments will be provided to the Planning Inspector determining the appeal and you will be invited to make further comments if you wish.