Role of the Councillor and parish councils in Planning Applications

While most planning applications are decided by the council's paid officers some are considered by Planning Committee or the Strategic Planning Committee.

Applications considered by Planning Committee or the Strategic Planning Committee

Certain applications are automatically decided by councillors sitting on these committees. These include major developments, council proposals or those submitted by or on behalf of members, senior officers or those involved in the determination of planning applications.

However any councillor of Cheshire West and Chester can refer or ‘call in’ an application for determination by a Planning Committee.

Councillors receive an email notification of any planning application submitted to the Council in their ward. From the date of that notification they have 21 days to decide whether to refer the application to a Planning Committee meeting.

When a councillor decides to refer an application to a Planning Committee meeting they must give their reasons. It is important that the reasons are based on the planning merits of the case.

Where applications are to be considered by Planning Committee, any councillor may request a site visit for any application on the agenda. These take place before the meeting, usually earlier in the day.

• Members' Planning Protocol (PDF, 47KB) - including Site Visits.

Role of Parish and Town Councils

Cheshire West and Chester Council recognises the important role that Parish and Town Councils have in the determination of planning applications. They provide a local perspective and make comments on applications within a local context and with the benefit of a considerable amount of local knowledge.

In view of the importance of this role, Parish and Town Councils must be notified of planning applications under national planning legislation.

 Parish and Town Councils are notified of every application that is submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council in their area.

They provide a local perspective and make comments on applications with the benefit of a considerable amount of local knowledge.

The views of Parish and Town Councils are reported, considered and responded to in every application report. Extra conditions may be added to a recommendation of approval, as a result of concerns raised.

Parish and Town Councils can also attend Planning Committee or Strategic Planning Committee meetings to speak on applications within their area.

The Parish Clerk or Chairman will be allowed to attend Cheshire West and Chester Planning Committee or Strategic Planning Committee site visits but for the purpose of asking questions only and under strict guidance.

Once an application has been decided, a copy of the planning permission/decision notice is made available to the Parish or Town Council.