You can only speak about an item listed under ‘Applications for decision’ on the meeting agenda. If you are an objector, supporter, applicant, agent or ward councillor and would like to speak, contact the Head of Planning and Enforcement, or the Team Leader in their absence, by emailing planning@stevenage.gov.uk or calling 01438 242242.

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

You can register only after the agenda has been published. You must register by 5pm, two working days before the meeting.

If you have a speaking slot, you must confirm your attendance with the Committee Clerk at least 15 minutes before the meeting starts.

What to provide when you register

When you contact us, tell us:

• Your name, address and telephone number
• The planning application you want to comment on
• Whether you support or object to the application
• Whether you are speaking for yourself or also representing other people
• Whether we can share the information you provide with other people who have an interest in the application before the meeting
• A written outline of the main points you want to raise at the meeting

We will share the information you provide with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee at the meeting. We may also share it with other interested parties, including the press. We will not share your telephone number or any other information that must be withheld under data protection law.

If you do not provide the required information, we may refuse your request to speak.

At the meeting

• You will normally have three minutes to speak. The Chair or Vice-Chair may allow more time.
• Your comments will be included in the committee report for councillors to consider.

Meeting dates and committee reports

Committee reports are usually published five working days before the meeting. You can view meeting dates and reports on the Council’s Democracy pages.

Watch meetings online

Planning meetings are filmed and broadcast live on the Council’s YouTube channel.

Late representations for Planning Committee

We do not normally accept public comments on an application after 12 noon on the working day before the Planning and Development Committee meeting. This deadline gives officers enough time to prepare and circulate an addendum report to committee members. The addendum report may:

• Identifiy any errors in the report that need to be corrected.
• Report any material received or identified since the close of the agenda which needs to be brought to the attention of the committee to enable them to consider / determine an agenda item.
• Set out material changes to the details within the recommendation.

Please note than any material received after the cut off point will not be reported to the Committee. The Chief Planning Officer (Director of Planning and Regulation or Head of Planning and Enforcement acting on their behalf when absent) has an absolute discretion in this regard.

Therefore, you must ensure any representations you make to an application are made during the consultation process or at least no later than noon (12pm) the day before the committee meeting.