Comment on or object to a planning application online
Where can I view a copy of a planning application?
You can view electronic copies of planning applications, including application forms, plans and supporting information:
- online by using our online planning system. Application documents are normally available to view within 24 hours of an application being validated.
- by visiting the Planning Reception at Jacob's Well, City Hall, Keighley, Shipley and Ilkley Town Halls during normal office hours.
You can obtain a paper copy of the scaled plans for inspection at a more convenient time, but there is a charge for this service.
You can see any public comments, consultation responses and officer planning panel reports (where relevant) about a current planning application on our online planning system.
If you wish to inspect documents from the planning officer’s file, we require 48 hours notice as current files are working documents and may be in use by the case officer on site visits or in meetings elsewhere.
You can arrange to view application documents on our online planning system at a planning reception point by contacting the Planning Service on 01274 434605, or by completing this online request form. Please provide us with as much information as possible about your requirements and include the planning reference number where known.
How do I comment?
Representations can be submitted:
- online using our online planning system
- In writing to the Planning Service Jacob's Well Bradford BD1 5RW, quoting the relevant application number
Please note that we require your full name and address, as we may need to contact you about the application if it goes to a planning panel. Your name and address will be public, but we will remove any signatures, telephone numbers and email addresses from material we display on the online planning system.
By law, all written representations are made available for public inspection. If you mark your letter confidential, it cannot be taken into account when determining the application.
What to do if you have difficulty submitting comments using the online planning system
Submitting comments using the online planning system is the best way to ensure that your opinions are taken into account, as they are automatically stored against the planning application in our records.
If you are having difficulty in submitting comments using the online planning system then please contact us via email at planning.applications@bradford.gov.uk.
Comments submitted using this email address may take longer to appear on our website.
What issues can we take into account?
We can only take into account planning issues when determining an application.
There is no exhaustive list of material planning considerations, but the following issues are likely to be relevant in most cases:
- Policies on the Replacement Unitary Development Plan
- Government Planning Policy Statements/Guidance
- Considerations of highway safety
- Residential amenity
- Design, appearance and layout
- Character of a layout
- Noise, disturbance and smells
- Impact on trees, listed buildings and conservation areas
- Visual impact
What issues cannot be taken into account?
Examples of issues that are not planning matters include:
- Loss of view
- Private rights such as restrictive covenants, private rights of way and rights to light
- Land ownership
- Boundary or access disputes
- Objections on grounds of business competition
- Effects on property value
- Morality or personal opinion
- Matters covered by other legislation
- The reputation of the applicant/developer
- Nuisance caused by building work
- Speculation about future developments
What happens when I comment on an application?
We do not send paper acknowledgments but if you use public access you will receive an immediate acknowledgement by email.
All comments received are made public and will be made available on the internet on the online planning system. The applicant has the right to see what you have written. All comments will be removed from the online planning system once the application has been determined, unless there is an appeal.
What happens next?
You can also use the online planning system to track and monitor the progress of any application you are interested in and be notified of any changes or updates by email. Further guidance about how to use the features available can be found on the online planning system help page.
The case officer will assess the information contained in the application together with the representations and consultation responses received against the relevant policies in the Replacement Unitary Development Plan and other material considerations such as siting design and impact upon adjacent properties.
The case officer will prepare a report and make a formal recommendation as to whether permission should be granted subject to conditions or whether it should be refused.
In the majority of cases the decision to approve or refuse planning permission will be taken by a planning officer who has delegated powers to act on behalf of the Council.
In other cases the application will be decided by one of the Council’s 3 area planning panels (Bradford, Keighley or Shipley) or the Regulatory and Appeals Committee. Planning Panels comprise of locally elected members and meet approximately every 4 weeks.
Agendas are published 5 working days before the meeting and are available to view on the Committee Agenda, Reports and Minutes website along with links to the various panels, their agendas and minutes.
If the application requires a panel decision we will write to you to advise you of the date the application will be considered, 7 days in advance of the meeting. We will also provide you with details of the decision making process and public speaking arrangements.
Further information about what happens at planning panels and the public speaking can be found in Planning advice note 10 below.
What happens after a decision has been made
If you have commented on a planning application we will notify you of the decision. You will be able to view details of the decision on the online planning system.
If the application is refused or the applicant is unhappy about any of the conditions imposed on a permission they have a right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Third parties have no right of appeal.
