It is important to note when making comments about any planning application that your observations should focus on material considerations, these are factors that the decision makers on the Council are allowed by law to take account of when they make a planning decision.
A list of examples are given below, the list is not exhaustive and it is important to bear in mind that each case must be considered on its own merits.
• Design and visual impact
• Privacy/daylight/sunlight
• Noise, smell, pollution
• Access/traffic
• Health/health and safety
• Ecology, landscape
• Crime (and fear of)
• Economic impact
• History/related decisions
• Fallback position e.g. PD
• Cumulative impact
Many people wishing to comment upon an application often focus on other factors, particularly those they are emotional about, whilst these are important to the individual or the community they are not (usually) factors that can be considered in a planning decision and sometimes their over use in a good case with sound material considerations can water the case down.
Examples of often used non-material considerations include;
• The applicant
• Land ownership
• Private rights e.g. access
• Restrictive covenants
• Property value
• Competition
• Loss of view
• 'Moral' issues
• Numbers of representations
• Building regulation issues
• Change from previous scheme
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