Planning Committee

What is the Planning Committee?

The Planning Committee makes decisions on planning applications in the Lichfield District area. It also considers matters of tree preservation orders, enforcement, building control and listed buildings.

When does the Committee meet?

The committee generally meets every three weeks on Monday evenings at 6.00 pm in the Council Chamber at the District Council offices in Frog Lane, Lichfield. Members of the public are able to attend the committee meeting.

For this years' dates and previous minutes, agendas and reports, you can visit the Planning section of our Agendas, Reports and Minutes section.

Who is on the Committee?

To find out who's on the committee and see dates of meetings visit the Planning section of our Agendas, Reports and Minutes section.

All Councillors receive training in planning and the Chairperson and Vice -  Chairperson is appointed annually by the Committee. The Committee receives advice from Council Officers, in particular in relation to planning and legal matters.

Why are some planning applications decided by the Committee and not others?

Senior planning officers have powers delegated to them to determine applications on behalf of the Committee and approximately 85% of applications are determined in this manner.

The applications which are presented to the Planning Committee are normally larger and more significant applications raising a number of planning issues.

How does the Committee reach its decision?

Five working days before the meeting of the Committee, copies of the agenda containing the full reports of the Planning Officers are circulated to all Councillors and copies are also made available for public inspection. For this years' dates and previous minutes, agendas and reports, you can visit the planning section of our Agendas, Reports and Minutes section.

Each report contains full details of the proposal along with a summary of the history of the site in question, the relevant policies, summaries of the views of objectors and supporters, and the reasoned judgement of the Planning Officers. It also contains a recommendation to approve or refuse the application.

At the meeting, where requested, the Officers will provide information on each application and debates will ensue on the cases where Councillors wish to express a view. Members of the public may address the Committee, usually to object or offer support  on an application. Further information is available in the Having Your Say section.

The Committee will finally make a decision on the application on the basis of the Officers' recommendations, the substance of the discussion and any other information received during the Committee debate. This decision is reached either unanimously, or, where opinion is divided, by a show of hands.

Does the Committee have to accept the recommendation in the report?

The planning agenda contains recommendations from the Planning Officers. These recommendations are not binding upon the Committee and it is free to make a decision on the basis of the planning merits and other issues surrounding each case.

If the Committee seeks to make a decision different to the recommendation, that decision must be based upon proper planning reasons. Should additional information be required, then an application may be deferred until a subsequent meeting in order for that information to be provided.

Any views?

If, after having experienced Planning Committee, you have any observations to make over the decision making process then please submit your views in writing to the Development Control Manager at devcontrol@lichfielddc.gov.uk