Like many aspects of dealing with “the state”, making a planning application can be like traversing a minefield — but help is at hand. A big part of my job as a planning consultant is to help people find their way through. I do that in my work, and with the articles I write. So here’s my guide to the oft-ignored issue of dealing with town and parish councils during a planning application.
THE ROLE OF TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS
I say town and parish councils are often ignored, and that’s probably because they are not the actual decision makers for planning applications. But they are very important consultees, for two reasons. First, they can influence the actual decision maker, sometimes. Second, they almost always have a significant impact on who takes
