What happens to my Application?

When we receive an application, it is checked to ensure that the forms are accurately filled in and that the required fee is correct.  It helps us and minimises delay to you if the plans and drawings are clear and accurate.  It is particularly important to have up-to-date location plans showing all the neighbouring properties.  This allows us to readily identify those people who need to be consulted.  If the information is correct, the application is registered and formally acknowledged in writing and published on our website.

Once registered as a valid application, the Council has a target of eight weeks to determine the application.  The application will be allocated to a case officer who will decide on the level of consultation and publicity.  This will vary, depending on the type of application, but will normally include immediate neighbours, the parish council, and the highway and drainage agencies.  The case officer may also need to consult with other Council services such as Housing, Environmental Health, Conservation and Archaeology.  In some cases the application will be publicised by posting a notice at the application site for 21 days.

Most applications affecting a listed building/conservation area, as well as major developments or other proposals which would have a significant impact or affect a wide area are given such publicity, as well as being advertised in the local press, usually the Chester Chronicle.

The case officer will always visit the site.  In some cases, applications that would otherwise be unacceptable can be improved and the case officer may contact the applicant to discuss amendments.  If you have objected to an application we will notify you again if we receive any amendments which may affect your views.

When the consultation process is complete, the case officer will formulate a report and recommendation.  The officers will normally deal with straightforward applications, however if the application is more complex or if any objection is received, then it will normally be reported to the appropriate Board for a decision. You can see the papers that will be shown to the Board about your application and these will be available at least three working days before the meeting is held.   The timetable of Planning Board dates is available on this site.  When a decision has been reached, the planning permission or refusal will be issued and interested parties notified of the outcome.

Planning permission may be granted subject to conditions, such as the type of materials that must be used or highway improvements to be carried out.  In some cases, it will be necessary to enter into a legal agreement with the Council.  Where this is the case, the case officer will have alerted the applicant to this requirement.  If the Council have refused planning permission, the notice will always give the reasons for reaching that decision.

You should not start work until you are satisfied that planning permission is not required or the necessary permission has been obtained and you have complied with any conditions imposed by the Council.

• If you cannot comply with a condition, then you can apply to have it removed or changed, and we would recommend that you discuss this with a planning officer before submitting a formal application
• If you did want to make amendments after permission is granted, you should inform the Development Control Section in writing of the changes and ask whether a new planning application is required.  Plans should be submitted showing the changes. (for details of fee exemptions on re-submitted planning applications,  please go to the Development Control Forms page and download the 'Schedule of Planning Application Fees')
• A planning permission only applies for a set time period eg. 5 years.  If you do not implement the permission and start the work within this time period, you can apply for a renewal of planning permission.  You must submit the renewal planning application before the original time limit expires and pay the appropriate planning application fee - as detailed on the 'Schedule of Planning Application Fees' which can be downloaded from the Planning Forms page.

Contact Details

Planning - Development Control

Email - planning@chester.gov.uk

Opening hours - 8.30am - 4.45pm

Phone number - 01244 402404

Fax - 01244 320946

Address - Development Control, Development Directorate, Chester City Council, The Forum, Chester, CH1 2HS