Comment on a planning application

Anyone can comment on a planning application. These comments are valuable as they let us know what to local people and should be brought to our attention.

 Issues may include:

• Highway safety and traffic

• Noise, disturbance and smells

• Design, appearance and layout

• Conservation of buildings, trees, plants, animals and open land

• Impact on the appearance of the area

• Effect on the level of daylight and privacy of existing property

• Planning case law and previous decisions

• The need for the development

• Planning history of the site

Matters which cannot be taken into consideration include:

• Matters covered by other laws apart from planning, such as alcohol licensing, or construction techniques

• Private property rights such as covenants

• The developer's identity, morals, motives or past record

• Effect on the value of your property

• The fact that development has already started

• Trade objections based on competition

• Moral objections such as an objection to gambling or a pub

• Loss of a particular view

• Inconvenience or other problems caused by building works

When to comment:

Letters and site notices give a date by which comments should be sent to us. We have to give at least 21 days for comments on new applications by law. 

With large and complex applications there may be quite a long time before a decision is made. You can find out by emailing development.control@wokingham.gov.uk or phone 0118 974 6429 to contact the Case Officer. 

How to comment:

To comment on a planning application you will need the planning application number. You can find this by searching our planning applications.

An unedited copy of all comments submitted can be viewed by the public, including the applicant.

You can:

 Use our online comment form

• Email your comments to development.control@wokingham.gov.uk

• Send your comments by post to Development Control, Wokingham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN 

Please include your postal address or email address so we can contact you and let you know the decision on the application.

What happens to comments:

Your comments will be read by the Case Officer. Unfortunately we cannot reply to your comments. 

We also consult your local Councillor, other Council departments and other organisations  as appropriate  - such as Town and Parish Councils, ecological advisers, conservation organisations, the Environment Agency, etc.

The job of our planning staff and/or the Committee is to balance the impacts against all the other considerations - including planning policies and the reasonable expectations of the applicant.

Offensive and racist comments

Please note that offensive, racist, discriminatory and other statements will not be considered or published.

Offensive statements are those that lower a person's reputation personally or within their trade, profession or business. Racist statements are those that discriminate against individuals on racial grounds including their race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins. Gypsies and other minorities are racial groups. Statements that discriminate on grounds of religion, sexuality or disability will also not be considered or published.

If you want to contact us about a planning application:

E-mail: development.control@wokingham.gov.uk 

Phone: 0118 974 6429