Introduction
The role of the Planning Committee is to determine planning applications and related matters that are referred to it for consideration in accordance with the Authority’s Constitution and relevant planning legislation. The Committee exercises these functions on behalf of the Authority, taking account of the Development Plan, national planning policy and other material planning considerations.
The Authority is committed to openness and transparency in the planning process. Members of the public, applicants, agents and other interested parties have the opportunity to submit written representations on all planning applications. This is an important part of the decision-making process, and the comments will be considered when applications are determined. Additionally, members of the public may also request the right to speak to the Committee when it determines an application.
The Authority is committed to ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the planning process. Anyone who requires assistance, accessibility support or reasonable adjustments in order to submit representations or address the Committee should contact us as early as possible. Where reasonable and practicable, the Authority will make appropriate arrangements to support participation in the planning process.
The Chair is responsible for the efficient and orderly conduct of meetings and has discretion to regulate proceedings and maintain fairness between participants.
Under the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026 (“the Regulations”), many planning applications must be determined by officers under delegated powers. Only those applications capable of being considered by the Planning Committee under the Regulations may be referred for determination by the Committee. Referral will be in accordance with the Regulations and will occur only when the relevant gateway criteria are met and referral is agreed by both the Nominated Officer and the Nominated Member.
Whilst there is a right to comment on planning applications regardless of whether determination will be by officers or Planning Committee, the right to speak cannot be granted in relation to an application which must be determined by officers under delegated powers. Any request made in relation to such an application will therefore be refused.
The decision as to whether an application is determined by Planning Committee is separate from the merits of the proposal itself. The number of objections received, petitions submitted, expressions of support, requests from councillors or the level of public interest are not, on their own, reasons for referral to the Committee.
Notice of Applications
Planning applications are publicised in a number of ways including by notification letters sent to adjoining neighbouring properties or public notices displayed on site and/or published in local newspapers and posted on the Authority’s website.
Comments in relation to an application must be made by either:
a) writing to Planning, Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, NE27 0BY;
b) uploading comments through the Authority’s website; or
c) sending an e-mail to development.control@northtyneside.gov.uk
All comments must include the author’s name and address, the application reference number and the reasons for either objecting or supporting the proposal.
(Note: In determining planning applications, the Authority can only take into account relevant planning issues such as privacy, visual amenity, design, noise, car parking, highway safety and congestion, landscaping, drainage and character of the area.)
Request to Speak
A member of the public who submits a written representation to the Authority in relation to a planning application may also request permission to speak to the Planning Committee. Where an application is referred to the Committee for determination in accordance with the Regulations, speaking requests will be considered by the Chair or, in their absence, the Deputy Chair. The submission of a representation, petition or request to speak does not confer any right for an application to be referred to the Committee. Whether an application is determined by officers or by the Committee is governed by the Regulations and the Authority's arrangements for the discharge of planning functions.
The purpose of allowing members of the public to address the Planning Committee is to enable those who have made comments to emphasise the principal points of their submission before the Committee reaches a decision. In determining planning applications, the Committee can only take into account relevant planning considerations. Issues which are not material planning considerations cannot be taken into account. For example, the Planning Committee cannot consider issues such as the potential loss of a private view, fears that neighbouring properties may be devalued, trade objections from competitors, the terms of covenants or moral objections to the proposal.
Any request for speaking should be submitted in writing to the Authority prior to the end of the consultation period and preferably at the time of making comments. Where the consultation period is open in the days leading up to a Committee meeting, any requests for speaking should be received at least 5 working days before the meeting.
Where an application is to be referred to Planning Committee, the Chair and/or Deputy Chair will normally grant speaking rights to:
a) one representative speaking in objection to the proposal; and/or
b) one representative speaking in support of the proposal; and/or
c) any Councillor granted speaking rights in accordance with this Guidance.
If the right to speak is not granted, the Authority will notify the member of public and explain the reasons for the decision. The decision of the Chair/Deputy Chair is final and there is no right of appeal.
If the Chair/Deputy Chair grants speaking rights, the Authority will give the member of public at least 5 working days’ notice of the date, time and venue of the Planning Committee and direct them to copies of the agenda and this Guidance, which are available on the Authority’s website. Speakers may be accompanied by a friend or arrange for another person to speak on their behalf. Speakers will be asked to confirm their intention to speak. The Planning Committee usually meets at the Authority’s offices at Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, NE27 0BY. The Planning Committee’s agenda, reports and minutes are published on the Authority’s website: www.northtyneside.gov.uk
If, having read the report, a speaker decides that they do not wish to speak to the Committee (for example, where the report contains a recommendation or proposed conditions which address their concerns) or where they are unable to attend, they must notify the Authority of their decision to withdraw from the process in writing to the clerk of the Committee either by email to democraticsupport@northtyneside.gov.uk or by using the contact details set out on the agenda. If a speaker does not attend the meeting, the Committee will determine the application in their absence.
When more than one person wishes to speak, either for or against an application, they will be requested to appoint a single representative to speak. Normally only one person will be allowed to speak in opposition and one in support of an application. Where agreement cannot be reached, the person allowed to speak will normally be the author of the written letter of support and/or objection requesting the right to speak received first by the Authority.
Only in exceptional circumstances will the Chair and/or Deputy Chair of the Committee allow more than one speaker to address the Committee in support of, or in opposition to, an application. In such cases, speakers should avoid repeating matters already raised by previous speakers. Unless the Chair determines otherwise, the total speaking time for all speakers on the same side will be limited to 5 minutes.
Councillors
Councillors may request speaking rights on any application which has been referred to Planning Committee for determination.
The submission of a request by a Councillor, or an objection from a Councillor, does not itself justify referral of an application to Planning Committee. Applications may only be referred in accordance with the statutory requirements and the Authority's Guidance.
A request to speak on an application must be made in writing via email to development.control@northtyneside.gov.uk and democraticsupport@northtyneside.gov.uk no later than 12 noon, three working days before the meeting, but preferably early on in the decision-making process.
Any request from a Councillor to speak shall be considered by the Chair and/or Deputy Chair of the Committee.
Councillors should identify the material planning considerations that they wish the Committee to consider and should not use speaking rights solely for the purpose of seeking clarification from, or asking questions of, officers.
At the Committee meeting, Councillors will be subject to the same procedural rules as for other persons requesting speaking rights.
If a Councillor is granted speaking rights and they are a member of the Planning Committee, they will be requested to leave the meeting room once they have addressed the Committee to ensure that they do not take part in the debate and decision-making on the application. Councillors who are not members of the Planning Committee will not take part in the debate and decision-making but may remain in the meeting room.
Applicant’s Right to Respond
Where a member of the public or a Councillor has been granted speaking rights in objection to an application, the applicant will be given the opportunity to respond. An agent may respond on behalf of the applicant.
If no objectors are attending, the applicant and/or supporters will only be given the right to speak if the application is recommended for refusal.
If the applicant declines the opportunity to respond, or does not attend the meeting, this will not prevent any member of the public or Councillor who has been granted speaking rights from addressing the Committee, nor will it prevent the application from being determined.
Where a member of the public or Councillor who has been granted speaking rights subsequently declines to speak or does not attend the meeting the applicant will ordinarily have no right of reply and, save in exceptional circumstances, will not be permitted to address the Committee. This will not prevent the application from being determined.
The Committee Meeting
On arrival, prior to the commencement of the Committee meeting, members of the public and applicants who are to speak must identify themselves to the clerk of the Committee.
The clerk will explain the process to be followed by the Committee in determining the application. This will normally be as follows, but may be subject to change at the discretion of the Chair, who is responsible for the conduct of the meeting:-
a) the planning officer will present a report to the Committee, outlining details of the application and highlighting the material planning considerations on which the Committee must judge the application;
b) any member of the public objecting to an application and who has been granted speaking rights will be invited to address the Committee for no longer than 5 minutes (or longer period previously determined by the Chair);
c) members of the Committee will be invited to ask questions of the objector to clarify any points raised;
d) any member of the public supporting an application and who has been granted speaking rights will be invited to address the Committee for no longer than 5 minutes (or longer period previously determined by the Chair);
e) members of the Committee will be invited to ask questions of the speaker in support to clarify any points raised;
f) any Councillor who has been granted speaking rights will be invited to address the Committee for no longer than 5 minutes (or longer period previously determined by the Chair);
g) members of the Committee will be invited to ask questions of the Councillor to clarify any points raised;
h) the applicant will be invited to address the Committee to respond to the points raised by the previous speakers for no longer than 5 minutes (or longer period previously determined by the Chair) but in any event no more than the total time allowed for all objectors.
i) members of the Committee will be invited to ask questions of the applicant to clarify any points raised;
j) members of the Committee will be invited to ask questions of the officers; and
k) the Committee will make comments, debate the merits of the application and make a decision.
If a member of the public, Councillor or applicant wishes to refer to documentary evidence which has not already been referred to in the report to the Committee, the documentation must be submitted to the planning officers before 12noon on the third working day before the meeting so that it can be considered by the planning officers and shared with the other parties. Any documentation presented after this deadline will not be admissible. Additional information cannot be handed around at the meeting.
Speakers should aim to emphasise the important points made in the representation and ensure their comments are relevant to the planning issues set out in the report to the Committee. If a speaker refers to irrelevant issues these cannot be taken into account. For example, the Planning Committee cannot give consideration to issues such as the potential loss of a private view, fears that neighbouring properties may be devalued, trade objections from competitors, the terms of covenants or moral objections.
Members of the public and applicants must treat others with respect including Authority officers and Councillors. They must not interrupt other speakers or Councillors as they debate the application. The Chair will regulate and control the conduct of the meeting. In the event of disorder, the Chair has the authority to adjourn the meeting or to remove disruptive parties from the meeting.
After the Meeting
Applicants will be formally notified of the decision of the Planning Committee. The decision will also be recorded and published in the minutes of the meeting, available on the Authority’s website (www.northtyneside.gov.uk) normally within 5 working days of the meeting.
If you require any further information or guidance in relation to your right to speak at the Planning Committee, or if you require this document in an alternative format such as Braille, audiotape, large print or an alternative language please contact:
The Democratic Services Team
democratic.support@northtyneside.gov.uk
Tel: 0191 643 5359 or
The Planning team
development.control@northtyneside.gov.uk