Types of comments on Planning Applications

We welcome feedback on planning applications, whether to:

• Support the application.
• Share your views.
• Object to the application.

Requirements for comments

• Must include your name and address (anonymous comments cannot be accepted).
• Your comments, including name and address, will be publicly available on our website. However, your phone number and email address will remain confidential.

What you can comment on

We can only consider material planning matters. Examples include:

• Parking, loading, or traffic concerns.
• Impact on listed buildings or conservation areas.
• Loss of privacy, light, or trees.
• Noise, disturbance, or hazardous materials.
• Compliance with planning policies or site design issues (e.g., height, scale).
• Landscaping, road access, or conservation impacts.

What we cannot consider

We cannot take into account non-planning matters, such as:

• Property value or trade competition.
• Boundary or ownership disputes.
• Personal views, motives, or private neighbor disputes.
• Temporary inconveniences during construction.

For these issues, you may need to pursue civil remedies.

Handling and outcomes of comments

What happens after submitting comments?

• Material planning comments are considered when determining an application.
• A summary is included in the officers' report and reviewed by statutory or non-statutory consultees (e.g., Natural England, Environment Agency, Highways Authority).

How to track decisions

• Register on Public Access to track decisions.
• If an appeal is filed, previous comments will be forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate.

Planning Committees and Councillor Call-Ins

• Applications may be referred to the Planning Committee in line with the Scheme of Delegation.
• Councillors may "call in" applications for committee review based on planning grounds only.

Speaking at Planning Committees

• Register to speak (for or against) by emailing plan.devcon@stevenage.gov.uk before 4 pm the day prior to the meeting.
• Speaking slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

At the meeting:

• Speakers have three minutes unless additional time is granted by the Chair or Vice Chair.
• Your views will be included in the committee report for councillors to consider.

Stay informed about committee schedules and decisions by checking the Attend a Committee Meeting page.