We are committed to extending public participation in the planning process. Members of the public are welcome to put their views on a planning proposal directly to the Planning Committee when planning applications are being considered. We want this procedure to be easy to use and fair to all who are participating. Letters of support or objection will also continue to be taken into account.
Can I speak on all planning applications?
Only on those items which are due to be determined by the Planning Committee. All major developments go to Committee, also applications 'listed' by local Councillors because of local planning concerns. The vast majority of the applications are however, determined by planning officers under 'delegated powers' and do not come to Committee.
When and where does the Planning Committee meet?
These meetings are held in the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham. Normally meetings take place on a four weekly cycle. They are held on a Wednesday evening and start at 7pm. Dates of meetings are subject to change but you can check them on our meeting schedule.
Who can speak at the meeting and how long?
There will be a maximum of 9 minutes public speaking time allotted to each development proposal. This time is divided between the following categories:
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Town or Parish Council - 3 minutes in total
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Objectors - 3 minutes in total
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Applicants, agents or supporters - 3 minutes in total
We will inform all of the above of the date of the Committee meeting, the planning officer's recommendation and the process for public speaking. Where more than one person wishes to speak within a particular category, either a spokesperson can be mutually agreed to speak on behalf of all within that category or the three minutes shared. The time limit cannot be exceeded.
How do I arrange to speak at the meeting?
There are several ways people can register to speak - see below, but Democratic Services must have been contacted by no later than 5pm on the last working day before the relevant meeting, usually Tuesday.
Telephone, post, fax, email the Democratic Services section or complete the public speaking online form.
Contact details are given below.
Remember to state your name, address, daytime contact number, planning application reference, the proposed development to which it refers and whether you wish to speak in support of, or against, the application. Please also advise if you will be using transparencies or a powerpoint presentation.
Can I provide additional information to present at Committee?
Yes. Additional visual material, including plans and photographs, may be presented at the meeting, please do not duplicate any material in the Committee Agenda. This information will be taken into account in any decision. It can be in the form of A4 size transparencies which can be displayed onto a screen for the Committee to see. All speakers must arrange production of their own transparencies. The Council regrets it is unable to assist in this matter. If you wish to show a powerpoint presentation, you will need to email the presentation to democratic.services@wokingham.gov.uk and it will be pre-loaded onto a laptop in the meeting room ready for you to use. Papers cannot be circulated during the meeting. Time spent using such material for explanatory purposes is included within the 3 minutes.
What is the procedure for speaking?
The Chairman will announce the application and a planning officer will give an introduction. Then the following groups of speakers will be invited to address the Committee, in the following order:
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Parish or Town Council
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Objectors
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Applicants or the agents/supporters
Members of the Committee will not question speakers unless the Chairman considers there are relevant matters raised which are not covered in the officer's report. Members may then seek clarification from Council staff on particular points, prior to making their decision.
What will I be able to speak about?
This will depend on the application, but should be restricted to matters covered by planning legislation. Examples may include:
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Government guidance
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The Local Development Framework
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Noise, disturbance and smells resulting from the proposed development
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Highway safety and traffic
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Design, appearance and layout
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Residential amenity
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Conservation of buildings, trees and open land
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Impact on the appearance of the area
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Effect on the level of daylight and privacy of existing property
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Need to safeguard the countryside or protected species of plant or animal
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Planning case law and previous decisions
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The need for development
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Previous planning history of the site.
When determining applications, the Committee is not permitted to take into account matters, which are outside the remit of planning. Examples may include:
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Matters covered by other laws apart from planning, such as alcohol licensing, or
construction techniques
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Private property rights such as covenants
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The developer's identity, morals, motives or past record
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Effect on the value of your property
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The fact that development has already started
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Trade objections based on competition
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Moral objections such as an objection to gambling or a pub
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Loss of a particular view
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Inconvenience or other problems caused by building works
Can I see the Planning Officer's report on the application online?
Yes, reports can be seen on our agendas and minutes page.
A limited number of Agendas will be available in the Committee Room at the meeting. Please leave the agenda in the room after your application has been decided to allow others to use it.
Who do I ask if I have any queries?
If you have any queries on these arrangements, have any questions not answered by this page or require further assistance please contact:
Tricia Harcourt,
Senior Democratic Services Officer
Wokingham Borough Council,
Shute End,
Wokingham
RG40 1WQ
Telephone: 0118 974 6091
Fax: 0118 974 6057
Email: democratic.services@wokingham.gov.uk
