Planning decisions

A planning application can be determined (decided) in one of two ways: a decision made under 'delegated authority', or a decision by Planning Committee.

Decision under delegated authority

Most commonly, a planning application is determined under 'delegated powers'. This is where an appropriate senior officer is authorised to make and issue the decision, which speeds up the process. This route is usually taken for minor or household applications, as well as any application that the council's constitution does not require is considered by committee.

In practice, an allocated planning officer will deal with the application and, normally after making a site visit, they will consider:

whether the proposal complies with the relevant national, strategic and local planning policies
the effect of the proposal on the character of the area and any neighbouring developments
comments from members of the public (known as representations) received
responses from statutory consultees (council and external specialists who must be consulted about planning matters) and other interested parties, including Parish and Town Councils who are notified of all planning applications within their boundaries

The planning officer will provide a recommendation in a written report, setting out the relevant planning considerations, consultation responses, and an assessment of the proposal against relevant planning policies. This is then considered by the authorised senior officer who can make the decision on behalf of the council.

Decision by planning committee

Alternatively, a planning application can be determined by committee. Planning committees in West Berkshire are split into the Eastern Area Planning Committee and Western Area Planning Committee. Planning decisions made at an area planning committee are usually related to major developments, council-owned land, or applications that have given rise to petitions or a number of letters of objection from the public or other interested parties

West Berkshire Council's constitution contains full details of the circumstances in which an application might be referred to a planning committee for a decision. You can also find more information in our guide to decisions and delegated powers.

You can speak at a committee yourself, or contact your local councillor to speak on your behalf. Your councillor may also be able to offer help or advice regarding a planning application.

You might also find it useful to read our guidance on objecting to or supporting a planning application.

The decision outcome

The outcome of the decision will be either:

approval (most of the time subject to conditions controlling things such as the use of external materials)
refusal (with explanatory reasons)

Once the decision has been made, we will send a decision notice to the applicant or their agent electronically.

You can find information on what to do if your application has conditions on our application process page.

How to find a decision notice

You can use our Public Access system to find out about a current planning application under consideration, or a planning decision for a development you are interested in.

You can find out how to search for a planning application online here.