Types of comments on Planning Applications

We welcome feedback on planning applications, whether to:

• Support the application.
• Share your views.
• Object to the application.

Every member of the community has a right to comment on any particular application for planning permission. We will consider your views and comments as part of the determination process of the application.

Each application has a formal publicity period. Comments should be submitted during this time to ensure they are added to the planning file.

Requirements for comments

• You must always provide your name and address when commenting. This includes situations where you are commenting on behalf of a business or community group.
• The Council will not accept anonymous comments. Comments submitted under a false name or address, or comments submitted under an incomplete name or address will not be considered or published.
• Your comments, including name and address, will be publicly available on our website. However, your phone number and email address will remain confidential.

What you can comment on

We can only consider material planning matters. Examples include:

• Parking, loading, or traffic concerns.
• Impact on listed buildings or conservation areas.
• Loss of privacy, light, or trees.
• Noise, disturbance, or hazardous materials.
• Compliance with planning policies or site design issues (e.g., height, scale).
• Landscaping, road access, or conservation impacts.

What we cannot consider

We cannot take into account non-planning matters, such as:

• Property value or trade competition.
• Boundary or ownership disputes.
• Personal views, motives, or private neighbour disputes.
• Temporary inconveniences during construction.

For these issues, you may need to pursue civil remedies.

Handling and outcomes of comments

What happens after submitting comments?

• Material planning comments are considered when determining an application.
• A summary is included in the officers' report and reviewed by statutory or non-statutory consultees (e.g., Natural England, Environment Agency, Highways Authority).

How to track decisions

• Register on Public Access to track decisions.
• If an appeal is filed, previous comments will be forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Planning Application Objections

We welcome public involvement in the planning process and we encourage residents to submit comments that reflect genuine local knowledge and site‑specific concerns.

We recognise that some residents may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to help draft their representations. AI can assist with tasks such as improving clarity of writing or summarising documents. However, AI‑generated content often contains inaccuracies, including fabricated policy references, incorrect case law, or generic descriptions that do not relate to the application.

If you use AI to prepare any part of your objection or comment on a planning application, you must ensure that:

• All information is accurate, factual, and relevant to the specific planning application.
• Any quoted policy references come from Stevenage Borough Council’s adopted Local Plan or the National Planning Policy Framework.
• You have personally reviewed the submitted plans and documents on our planning portal.
• Your comments reflect your own views and are not copied from generic templates.

Disclosure Requirement

In line with guidance from the Planning Inspectorate, if AI has substantially contributed to your submission, you should state this clearly

Important Note when commenting with respect to the Equality Act 2010.

If you choose to comment on an application, please be aware that placing or publishing discriminatory comments is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.

The Act protects individuals from discrimination based on sex, race, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, religion and belief, sexual orientation and age.

Any such comments will be removed from our website and the individuals will be reported to the Police.

Planning committees and councillor referrals

From 31 October 2026, the National Scheme of Delegation introduced by central government will change how planning applications are allocated for decision. Applications will be decided either by council planning officers or by the Planning and Development Committee.

Previously, the council set its own local arrangements for deciding which applications were determined by officers and which were considered by the committee. These arrangements also allowed councillors to call in applications for a decision by the Planning and Development Committee.

Under the National Scheme of Delegation, councillors will no longer be able to call in applications for committee consideration.

The scheme places applications into two schedules:

• Applications in Schedule 1 must be decided by planning officers. Councillors cannot formally request that these applications are referred to the Planning and Development Committee. They can, however, make representations on their own behalf or on behalf of their community. Planning officers will consider these representations when determining the application.
• Schedule 2 applications will normally be decided by planning officers. In certain circumstances, an application may be referred to the Planning and Development Committee if it passes the Gateway Test.

The council has introduced a Gateway Referral Request Process for ward councillors who would like a Schedule 2 application to be considered by the committee.

A councillor must submit a written request explaining why they believe the application meets one or both of these criteria:

• it raises one or more economic, social or environmental issues that are significant to the local area
• it raises one or more significant planning matters, having regard to the development plan and any other material considerations

An application can be referred to the Planning and Development Committee only if both the council’s nominated officer and nominated member agree that at least one Gateway Test criterion is met.

To ask for a Schedule 2 application to be considered by the committee, please download complete and return the referral form available below.

Own-interest applications

In line with the National Scheme of Delegation, the council’s Constitution sets out a local process for determining Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 applications. Schedule 1 applications will generally be decided by planning officers. The Constitution also identifies the Schedule 2 applications that will be decided by officers.

The council has also introduced a referral process for own-interest applications in either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2. These applications can be referred to the Planning and Development Committee for a decision. The Gateway Test does not apply to own-interest applications, so councillors may request a referral on the basis of material planning matters.

To ask for a Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 own-interest application to be considered by the committee, complete the referral form [link to the form].

Speaking at Planning Committees

People can only address the committee on items that are on applications for the decision part of the agenda. If members of the public (objectors or supporters), applicants and agents or ward councillors wish to speak on an application on an agenda, they must contact the Head of Planning and Enforcement (or Team Leader in their absence) by email to planning@stevenage.gov.uk or by telephone 01438 242242.

Speaking slots are allocated on a first-come, first served basis.

Registration of slots can only be taken after the publication of the agenda and by 5PM, 2 working days prior to the meeting. In doing so, you must provide your contact details and also outline in writing the points you wish to raise at the meeting.

On the night of the committee, members of the public (objectors or supporters), applicants and agents or Ward Councillors who have registered a speaking slot must register their attendance with the Committee Clerk in attendance at the meeting at least 15 minutes before the meeting starts.

At the meeting

• Speakers have three minutes unless additional time is granted by the Chair or Vice Chair.
• Your views will be included in the committee report for councillors to consider.

Stay informed about committee schedules and decisions by checking the Attend a Committee Meeting page.