Planning applications

Quick Guide to Planning in Noak Bridge

• Noak Bridge Parish Council cannot approve or refuse applications – we can only comment.
• Basildon Borough Council makes all planning decisions as the Local Planning Authority.
• Comments should focus on material planning considerations such as design, impact on neighbours, road safety, and local policy.

Scroll down for more information on how the Parish Council and residents can get involved.

Planning Applications

What powers does Noak Bridge Parish Council have with respect to planning applications?

Noak Bridge Parish Council is a statutory consultee in the planning process. This means the Parish Council is consulted by Basildon Borough Council, the Local Planning Authority, on planning applications submitted within the parish boundary.

The Parish Council reviews planning applications and may submit comments to the Planning Authority. These comments are taken into account alongside other representations before a final decision is made.

However, the Parish Council does not have the power to approve or refuse planning applications. The final decision on all planning applications is made by Basildon Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority.

What are “material considerations”?

When commenting on a planning application, the Parish Council can only consider issues known as material planning considerations. These are matters that are relevant in planning law when determining an application.

Examples include:

• Design, appearance and scale of the development
• Impact on the character or appearance of the surrounding area
• Impact on neighbouring properties (including loss of privacy, overlooking or overshadowing)
• Traffic generation, road safety and parking provision
• Access for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists
• Noise, disturbance or other environmental impacts
• Drainage and flood risk
• Impact on trees, wildlife or protected habitats
• Heritage assets or conservation areas
• Compliance with local and national planning policies
• The Noak Bridge Neighbourhood Plan and the Local Development Plan

Issues that cannot normally be taken into account include:

• Boundary or ownership disputes between neighbours
• Loss of private views
• Impact on property values
• Personal circumstances of the applicant or objectors

Do parish councils grant planning permission?

Town and parish councils are not planning authorities and do not grant planning permission.

Their role in the planning process is limited to being a statutory consultee, meaning they:

• Receive notification of planning applications within the parish
• Review the proposals
• Submit comments to the Local Planning Authority

Residents can also submit their own comments directly to Basildon Borough Council.

How does the Parish Council comment on planning applications?

Planning applications are considered by the Parish Council at properly convened council meetings, which are open to the public.

At the meeting, councillors review the application and agree whether to submit comments. The agreed response is then submitted in writing by the Parish Clerk to the Planning Department at Basildon Borough Council.

How residents can comment on planning applications

Residents are encouraged to submit their views directly to Basildon Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority.

Comments can normally be submitted:

• Online via the planning application page on the Basildon Borough Council website
• In writing by email or letter to the Planning Department

All comments received are considered as part of the decision-making process, provided they relate to material planning considerations.

How to comment effectively on a planning application

When submitting comments on a planning application, it is helpful to focus on planning matters rather than personal views about the applicant.

Comments are more likely to be considered if they relate to issues such as:

• The impact of the development on neighbouring properties
• Traffic, parking and road safety concerns
• Design and appearance of the development
• Impact on the character of the area
• Environmental issues such as noise, drainage or flooding
• Compliance with planning policies or the Noak Bridge Neighbourhood Plan

Comments should be clear, relevant and submitted before the consultation deadline.

Planning consultation deadlines

When a planning application is received, the Local Planning Authority sets a consultation period, usually around 28 days, during which comments can be submitted.

The Parish Council will aim to consider applications within this period at the next available council meeting. However, if meeting dates do not align with the consultation deadline, the Parish Council may request an extension to the consultation deadline.  The decision to grant the extension rest solely with Basildon Council. 

Residents should ensure their comments are submitted before the consultation deadline shown on the planning application page.

What happens after a planning application is decided?

Once a decision has been made, Basildon Borough Council will publish the decision on its planning portal.

The application may be:

• Approved (sometimes with conditions)
• Refused
• Withdrawn by the applicant

Decision notices and associated documents can be viewed online through the council’s planning system.

Planning enforcement

If development is carried out without planning permission, or does not comply with approved plans, this may be considered a planning breach.

Concerns about potential breaches should be reported directly to the Planning Enforcement Team at Basildon Borough Council, who are responsible for investigating such matters.

The Parish Council does not have enforcement powers but may raise concerns with the Local Planning Authority where appropriate.

Viewing planning applications

You can search and comment on all planning applications on the Basildon Borough Council website.

Information on planning applications considered by the Parish Council can also be found in the Council meeting minutes, available on this website.