Your council must make its decisions on planning applications in line with the development plan unless material considerations suggest otherwise. A 'material consideration' is a planning matter which is relevant to the application and can include national policy, comments by the public and other people or organisations the council has consulted, the design of the proposed development, access and the effect on the environment. The council must decide how important these material considerations are. The need to consider all the evidence means that there is no guarantee that development plan policies will be followed in every case. But councils will usually approve applications for development in line with the plan.
Councils try to make decisions on planning applications within two months.
Decisions on complicated and controversial schemes are likely to take longer. If a council refuses your planning permission or grants your permission with conditions, it must give clear reasons, and you can appeal to our Inquiry Reporters' Unit. You must make your appeal within six months of the council's decision. Enforcing planning rules helps to protect you, our towns and our countryside. It makes sure that developments have the necessary planning permissions and are in line with any conditions which have been set.