Viewing plans and making comments

Whilst planning applications are being considered, anyone can view the plans at the Council offices. Comments received from any source are considered by the Council and taken into account when making a decision.

However, the grounds on which the Council can refuse or grant planning permission are set out in the Town & Country Planning Act. Sometimes objections are received to a proposal on the basis of some private interest (such as loss of a view to an individual, or that a proposal would breach a restrictive covenant). These would not be sufficient for the Council to refuse permission as it can only safeguard the public interest.

An "Open Forum" has been introduced at the start of Planning Committee meetings where anyone can express views on a planning matter directly to the committee.

How to Comment on a Current Application

If you would like to submit your comments on a planning application, you can do this via our online 'Public Access' system. To proceed to the Public Access system please click here.

We welcome everyone's views on planning applications. Planning law however, only allows us to take certain matters into account when we make a decision.

Generally speaking the following matters can be taken into account:

• Planning Policy - The Council makes planning policy to guide development to the most appropriate location. Most policy is included in the County Structure Plan and the West Wiltshire District Plan. Planning policy has to be followed by law, unless there are good reasons for setting it aside.
• Government Guidance - Central Government planning policy is included in Circulars and Planning Policy Guidance Notes. Where relevant brief details of these and all other planning policies are set out in the application report.
• Matters relating to highway safety
• Matters relating to the design, size, appearance and layout of the proposal
• Matters affecting amenity in the area where development is proposed
• The views of organisations which the Council consults on a proposal

Planning decisions are always made to protect the public interest. Matters that are solely private issues cannot be considered. The following matters are sometimes raised in comments on applications, but cannot be taken into account due to planning law:

• Loss of property value
• Loss of view
• Disputes over boundary and property rights
• The personal character of the applicant
• Matters controlled by other more relevant laws