Decisions on planning applications are made by the local planning authority, in our case Babergh District Council. The district council consults on planning applications received. Consultees include immediate neighbours, the parish council and in some cases, the county council as highway authority.

All involved in the planning process will consider an application against a variety of criteria, polices and rules. The role of the parish council, with its close links to the community is to provide a local interpretation of these, not to duplicate the function of the planning authority.

In giving its view to the district council, Bildeston Parish Council has decided to either object to an application, express support for or register no objection. The parish council will normally only express support where a positive benefit is perceived, such as a new facility for the village, or the improvement of a derelict building or area. However, councillors consider each case on its merits.

The parish council aims to provide before the set closing date, a quality, planning based response to all consultations received. The closing date is this is the same for all individual consultees.

The parish council does not know what comments have been (or will be) made by individual consultees direct to the district council, unless those individuals make their views known to the parish council.

Where individuals wish to make representations to the parish council, we are pleased to give them the opportunity to speak at our meeting or take written comments. While the parish council will take all representations into account, its role is to reflect the wider interests of the parish, rather than to automatically endorse the view of particular individuals, whether for or against a proposal.

Members of the public are very welcome to attend parish council meetings, whether to make representations, or simply see the process at work. We meet on the second Monday of every month, 7.30pm at Chamberlin Hall with additional meetings, advertised on notice board where planning deadlines dictate.

Reviewed - Robin Taylor
Chairman, Bildeston Parish Council