Decisions on the particular changes that people want to their land or buildings are dealt with through the Development Control process. Applications for Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent, Conservation Area Consent and Advertisement Consent are considered and recommended to Council for approval, with or without conditions, or refusal. The process also enforces planning control and allows an applicant the right of appeal against the refusal of planning permission.

A team of 8 planners and 2 enforcement officers decide if the particular changes that people want to make to their land or buildings require planning permission and, if so, whether they can recommend to the Council that they be allowed. The team’s responsibilities include applications for planning permission, Listed Building applications, Conservation Area Consents, advertisement controls, planning appeals, enforcement and design guidance.

During the year 1st April 2005 to 31st March 2006 the team determined 1164 planning and other applications (including Listed Building and Conservation Area Consents). Of these, 846 (72.7%) were determined within two months.