There are two ways we take decisions on planning applications:

Either:

1. by officers using powers delegated to them from councillors. This means officers can take the decision themselves as long as the development falls within certain sizes or types. If you need to know the details of these categories, contact the duty officer. The case officer prepares a report on the application, with a recommendation on whether to approve or refuse it, and this is passed to a senior officer to consider and agree the recommendation, if appropriate.
   
   or
   
2. by councillors at regular Planning Committee meetings. These take place every month, and are based on separate areas of the city. If the decision on the application has to be taken by councillors, then a report is prepared and published in the meeting's agenda about five working days before the meeting takes place. The meeting is open to the public - applicants, agents, supporters and objectors - and those with an interest in an application can speak to councillors before they take a decision.

The report councillors receive contains a recommendation on whether to approve or refuse the application and the reasons why. Councillors can accept the recommendation or decide to take a different decision. If they do the latter, they need to have good planning reasons to do so.

Information is available on how you can have your say at council meetings, what to expect and who to contact. 

Once a decision is reached, either by officers or councillors, a formal "decision notice" is sent out to the applicant (or agent if appropriate) confirming the decision. If the application is refused, the reasons for refusal will be given and the appeal process to the Planning Inspectorate is explained. An approval can contain conditions that the developer needs to comply with. These can be before work begins on site, during construction works or after the development is completed.