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Commenting on an Application

Taking a decision on a planning application can be difficult - often when someone wants to carry out a development which needs planning permission, there will be other people who would rather it didn't happen. The Planning Service must make sure that everyone has their say. If you wish to comment on a planning application you can help the Planning Service by making your comments clearly, in writing and promptly.

View the downloadable information about Commenting on an Application. Contact your Local Office

How do I find out about a planning application?

  • You will be notified by the person making the application if you are a neighbour whose property shares a boundary with the planning application site
  • Some types of application require legal notices to be published in the local press and sometimes a notice is displayed on the site
  • A weekly list of planning applications received by the Planning Service is sent to community councils
  • Phone the Planning Service at the office which serves your area
  • Visit the planning office which serves your area and look at the register of planning applications

How do I make comments on planning applications?

The first step is to find out as much as you can about the details of the planning application. You may look at the planning application at your local planning office, some of the Council's area offices, post offices and some libraries. Phone the Planning Service first to check that the application has been received and where it can be viewed.

Your comments on the application must be in writing. Your local planning office will tell you where to write to and let you know what the deadline is, as this can vary. Please make sure that you state clearly which application you are commenting on and remember that what you write may become public knowledge if the planning application is reported to a committee meeting.

There are some additional ways in which you can make sure your views are heard. Let your local councillor know about your comments - he or she is elected to represent you. Speak to your neighbours and other local people - do they share your views?

What is a valid comment?

Your letter should say clearly why you think the council should or should not grant planning permission. You can support a planning application as well as objecting to one! Matters which you might consider important are:

  • Whether a building cuts out any sunlight and daylight to neighbouring homes
  • Whether a neighbouring home would become less private
  • Whether the proposed development will be too high or too close to a neighbouring home
  • Whether the development will spoil the quality or character of an area
  • Whether the development complies with the Structure Plan, Local Plan or national guidance on planning matters,
    Road safety and other traffic matters
  • Visual appearance such as design and materials
  • Increase in noise, nuisance and smell

However, there are some matters which cannot be considered as strong planning objections:

  • Issues covered by other law (such as the Licensing Board, Building Control legislation, feu superiors consent)
  • Private legal disputes such as boundary or access rights
  • The developer's character, background or motives
  • Loss of financial value
  • The view from your home over someone else's land

What we do with your comments

When we have received your letter we will write to you within 2 working days acknowledging your comments and telling you which planning officer is dealing with the application - you can contact that officer if you have any questions.

We will consider the points which you have raised and may need to take advice from other council services. A report will normally be written for the Area Committee (which is made up of the local councillors) who will consider the planning application and the points which you have raised. Your letter will also be photocopied and made available to all the members of the Area Committee who will take your views into account before deciding on the planning application. Where only a few objections are received the issues will be discussed with the local councillor and may be decided without reporting to the Area Committee.

After the decision on the planning application

Once a decision has been taken we will write to you as soon as possible telling you what the decision is and enclose a copy of the decision notice.

If the application is refused, the decision notice states the reasons why.

If the application is approved, the decision notice will indicate whether the permission is limited or restricted in any way.

Can I attend the committee meeting?

The Area Committee meetings are open to the public and you can get information on the date and place of the meetings by contacting the planning officer dealing with the application that you have commented on.

You will not normally be asked to speak at the committee meeting, although if you wish to do so, you may send a written request to the Planning Service, which will be considered by the committee. If they agree you will be invited to speak at the appropriate committee meeting, prior to any consideration of the application by the committee. However, there are some applications which require to be advertised in the press because they do not fit with the Development Plan, and if this is the case you could ask for a public hearing - although it is up to the committee as to whether they wish to hold a hearing.

What if I am not happy with the Council's decision or the service I have received?

Only the applicant can appeal against the decision of the Council - a person who has objected to an application has no right to appeal against the decision. However, if you consider that the Planning Service has acted wrongly in some way, the Council make sure that a senior officer investigates any complaints. A leaflet about making comments and complaints is available from any Council office. You can also contact the local government ombudsman who may decide to undertake an independent investigation on your behalf. Details of the ombudsman are also available from Council offices.

Main offices

Banff & Buchan and Buchan Areas

Town House
Low Street
Banff AB45 1AY
Phone: 01261 813200
Fax: 01261 813281
E-mail: bb.planapps@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Buchan Area

Arbuthnot House
Broad Street
Peterhead AB42 1DA
Telephone 01779 477363
Fax 01779 483727
E-mail: bu.planapps@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Formartine Area

45 Bridge Street
Ellon AB41 9AA
Phone: 01358 726429
Fax: 01358 726450
E-mail: fo.planapps@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Garioch Area

Gordon House
Blackhall Road
Inverurie AB51 3WA
Phone: 01467 620981
Fax: 01467 628469
E-mail: ga.planapps@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Kincardine & Mearns Area

Viewmount
Arduthie Road
Stonehaven AB39 2DQ
Phone: 01569 768300
Fax: 01569 766549
E-mail: km.planapps@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Marr Area

Viewmount
Arduthie Road
Stonehaven AB39 2DQ
Phone: 01569 768300
Fax: 01569 766549
E-mail: ma.planapps@aberdeenshire.gov.uk