Planning Applications

Planning applications are dealt with by South Norfolk and Broadland District Council. The Town Council is notified of each application for consideration and comment.

Search South Norfolk Council’s Planning Portal

 

Harleston with Redenhall Town Council, as a statutory consultee of South Norfolk District Council, is then asked to comment on all planning applications within the Town.  The Town Council is consulted for its local knowledge but does not determine a Planning Application.

This is the role of the planning committee at the District Council is made up of Councillors or sometimes planning officers using delegated powers. Their decisions are based on Planning Policies set out in the Local Plan, Planning Policy Statements (PPS) and Government Guidance.

The District Council must take into account, but not necessarily follow, the views or recommendations of the Town Council.

The Town Council’s comments regarding individual planning applications considered at meetings are normally included in their minutes. Click here to view the minutes of all Council meetings.

If they feel strongly enough about a particular development, the Town Council has the right (separate from supporters and objectors) to speak at the planning meetings.

We are a developer and want to understand the needs of the Town Council?

Any potential developer is encouraged to contact the Town Council and meet with them to discuss their proposals, prior to submitting them to the Planning Authority. This can assist the developer in providing a more community lead development.

How do I view applications and plans?

Details of planning applications affecting a property are posted in public close to that property, by the planning authority.

Full details of planning applications also appear on the South Norfolk District Council website, where you can also make comments on applications.

What do I do if I have an interest or want to object to a Planning Application?

Ensure you have viewed the plans and all supporting documentation thoroughly.

If you wish to comment on or object to an application, you must write to, please follow the instructions on the South Norfolk District Council website. Please also send a copy of your objection to the Town Clerk so that we are aware of your views.  If you need help, please contact the District Council who can advise you of relevant procedures.

Reasons for objecting a planning application

The South Norfolk Planning site states that ‘ we will only consider comments or objections that are significant and relevant to planning. For example:’

  • Overlooking – the proposal would lead to previously private areas being overlooked to an unacceptable level
  • Overshadowing – the height or proximity of the development would be such that unreasonable overshadowing would occur
  • Disturbance – there would be unacceptable intrusion in the form of noise, odour, general disturbance
  • Overbearing – the scale of the works means that the property/premises has an oppressive impact on surrounding areas/houses
  • Out of character – if the design of the development, its scale and use, is such that it appears to be out of character with its surroundings
  • Road safety – the development may lead to a significant impact on road safety.

Other things which Redenhall with Harleston Town Council believe should be taken into considerations include:

  • Environment – impact on natural assets, loss of public amenity space or facilities, loss of trees, risk of flooding
  • Infrastructure – impact on public services such as schools, doctors, dentists and library
  • Conservation – impact on historic and cultural assets

Things which South Norfolk Council will not consider as planning considerations include:

  • Issues covered by other legislation
  • Loss of value to a property, loss of a private view, and potential difficulties in property maintenance
  • Private interests of objectors, the effect of the proposal on property values and competition between rival companies

The examples listed above are definitive but not comprehensive and are a guide to assist in the preparation of letters or statements of support or opposition.

If you do wish to object an application, you may also make comment to the Town Council at the appropriate meeting. The Town Clerk will be able to tell you when a particular application is due to come before the Parish Council. Please note, the Town Council is not obliged to pass on any such comments to the planning authority.

For further information on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the legal obligations of planning, referred to as Section 106, visit Information on S106 & CIL and SNC Guidance note S106

Search South Norfolk Council’s Planning Portal

For more guidance and for a basic introduction to the planning system along with the role of the Town Council, please see the slides to a training course that the members of the Town Council’s Planning Committee attended in 2023 A basic introduction to planning system webinar – Norfolk ALC (September 2023)

You can find all the up to date planning information on South Norfolk District Council’s website: Find a planning application | Broadland and South Norfolk