The delegation of appropriate powers and functions by the Development Control Committee of the County Council to designated officers has long been regarded as an essential element for the delivery of an efficient planning service. Planning Officers can therefore determine planning applications under Delegated Powers if there are no existing problems, and can either accept or reject the application on behalf of the Director of Environment, Economy and Culture or the County Solicitor.

In the following circumstances, however, applications will normally be referred to the Development Control Committee for determination where:-

• there is an objection from a statutory consultee such as the District or Parish Council;
• there is a significant neighbour objection made on planning grounds that cannot be resolved by an amendment to the scheme or by planning conditions or a planning obligation;
• the applicant is the Director of Environment, Economy and Culture (unless the development is considered ‘not contentious’ when it may be delegated to the County Solicitor);
• the application is considered to be a ‘departure’ from the adopted Development Plan.

The Development Control Committee meets approximately 8 times per year to consider planning applications and other matters relating to planning policy. The dates for forthcoming meetings are as follows:-

• 12 March 2008
• 23 April 2008
• 4 June 2008
• 16 July 2008
• 3 September 2008
• 15 October 2008
• 26 November 2008
• 21 January 2009
• 11 March 2009
• 15 April 2009

Where there are officers' reports for Committee determined applications, these will be available as soon as the Agenda is published online (this is normally 5 days before the meeting) and can be accessed by following the link below and then following the link from the corresponding Agenda:

• Development Control Committee Minutes and Agendas

The full minutes of the meeting will be available within one week of the meeting.

The elected Members of the Development Control Committee have adopted a Protocol for decision-making to ensure that the democratic process is transparent and that decisions are taken in a fair and rational manner. This Protocol, which also applies to Officers of the County Council, can be found by following the link below:

• Development Control Committee Protocol (276KB - pdf help)