The Parish Council is a statutory consultee on planning applications relating to addresses within the civil parish of Effingham. Most come via Guildford Borough Council or Surrey County Council planning authorities, but properties adjacent to, or just over, the boundary might also attract comment from Mole Valley District Council or Elmbridge Borough Council.
Effingham Parish Council discusses planning applications in full council at the Parish Council meetings, and decides whether or not to make a respresentation to the planning authority. An informal Planning Review Group of councillors meets a few days before the meeting, and makes recommmendations for debate at the full Parish Council. Residents who want to observe the debates or alert the Parish Council to their comments on particular applications are welcome to do so.
Planning authorities must notify all properties on the boundary of an application site.
to check on current or past planning applications submitted to nearby planning authorities, click on these links for their websites’ planning pages:
Viewing planning applications in the Parish Room
Hard copy of major planning applications are available for viewing at the Parish Room. However, hard copies of most current planning applications are no longer available. All applications can be viewed from the GBC website http://www2.guildford.gov.uk/publicaccess/?. If further assistance is required then please contact the Clerk.
Commenting on planning applications
Here is advice from the Guildford Borough Council website about what you can, and cannot, comment on with regard to a planning application:
‘We consider all of the comments we receive in the course of determining an application. However, we can only base our decision on planning policy and planning matters. These include relevant policies, government guidance, design issues, privacy, traffic, access, landscaping, noise and the impact on public amenity.
Planning considerations do not include covenants and other private property matters; the effect on property values; loss of a view; matters covered by other legislation; or the character or motives of the applicant.’
Relevant planning policy includes the National Planning Policy Framework, the Guildford Local Plan, and the Effingham Neighbourhood Plan. There is more information about GBC’s planning policies and procedures at this site.
Mole Valley and Elmbridge Planning Authorities accept the same sorts of comments on applications. Just like Guildford, these authorities have particular planning policies for their areas which may be of relevance, and which you can check at their websites.
A gentle word to those who are thinking of submitting a planning application…
It would probably surprise you to know just how severe a shock it is for neighbours if the first thing they know about your intentions is a notification letter from Guildford Borough Council planning department falling on their mat. Even if your plans are minor and don’t affect anyone outside your property, this is an unpleasant way to let neighbours know because until they have the time to find and interpret the plans, they will fear the worst. Please be considerate. Tell neighbours what you are planning before submitting. Even better, ask them for their views. Most people will be delighted you have involved them. Anything they can contribute at this stage will save a deal of trouble later on, which is also better for all concerned.
