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View and comment on planning applications

View and comment on planning applications, including registering on the Public Access website, knowing what information will be published, common reasons for objecting and how to submit a complaint.

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View and comment on a planning application

Online

You can view or comment on planning applications by using our Public Access website. You can also sign up to receive notifications of new applications:

Public Access website

You must register on Public Access in order to comment on planning applications.

In writing

If you submit your comment in writing, you must include the application reference and address your letter to:

East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Planning and Development Management
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
HU17 9BA.

Alternative ways to view historic planning applications

You can view historic planning applications at Beverley Customer Service Centre by prior appointment, free of charge. You will need to know the planning application reference number(s) and request the file by sending an e-mail to: Email: planning@eastriding.gov.uk.

If you don't know the planning application reference number, you can request a planning history search of a property or site.

Who can comment on a planning application

We recognise that neighbours who live nearby to the site of a proposed application may wish to express their views in order to make us more aware of local conditions and issues that may be relevant.

As long as the planning application is still open for consultation, anyone can comment. You can check the status of the planning application on the Public Access website and details of the expiry of consultation can be found on the site notice erected at the site address.

Types of comments which are considered

Whilst all comments on an application are reviewed, only matters relevant to the application are normally taken into account, these are known as 'material planning considerations'.

Material Planning Considerations

Examples of planning considerations which may be considered include:

  • the number, size, layout, siting, density, design and external appearance of buildings
  • the proposed means of access
  • landscaping
  • impact on the neighbourhood, and
  • the availability of infrastructure.

Examples of other material-planning factors that may be taken into account as material considerations in the decision making process include the following:

  • Planning history of the site, in particular any 'fall-back' position
  • Overshadowing
  • Overlooking and loss of privacy
  • Adequate parking and servicing
  • Overbearing nature of proposal
  • Loss of trees
  • Loss of ecological habitats
  • Archaeology
  • Contamination by a previous use
  • Effect on Listed Building(s) and Conservation Areas
  • Access and highways safety
  • Traffic generation
  • Noise and disturbance from the scheme
  • Disturbance from smells
  • Public visual amenity
  • Flood risk
  • Planning gain
  • Alternative available sites.

Other examples of non-material planning factors that cannot normally be considered

Examples of planning considerations that cannot normally be considered include:

  • loss of a private individual's view
  • loss of value to an individual property
  • boundary disputes
  • personal conduct or history of the applicant
  • the amount of time taken to complete the work
  • legal issues, such as covenants or private agreements

Other examples of non-material planning factors that cannot normally be considered as material planning considerations are:

  • Boundary disputes, incl. encroachment of foundations or gutters (Party Wall Act, etc)
  • Private restrictive covenants or agreements
  • The applicant's personal circumstances (only in very exceptional circumstances where strong compassionate or other personal grounds are demonstrated)
  • The applicant's motives
  • Potential profit for the applicant or from the application
  • Private rights to light
  • Private rights of way
  • Damage to property
  • Loss of trade to individual competitors
  • Age, health, status, background and work patterns of the objector
  • Building and structural techniques (Building Act, etc)
  • Matters covered by other statute (e.g. Highways legislation)
  • Alcohol or gaming licence

After comments are submitted

All public comments we receive on an application will be read and processed prior to being published on the Public Access website. We will not publish or take into account any comments that have been submitted anonymously, or if we consider them to be libellous, discriminatory or otherwise offensive.

Decisions on most planning applications are dealt with using our 'delegated powers procedure', which means your comments will be considered by the assigned planning officer rather than a planning committee. For most applications, this means the decision to approve or refuse will take about 8 weeks, although large or complex applications may take longer.

Everyone who comments on an application will be informed of the decision and any report made by either a planning officer or committee. All of these documents will be published on the Public Access website. If you have registered on Public Access and you have selected to track an application, you will be informed of the outcome even if you haven't commented on it.

Please note: that only the applicant may appeal the decision that the council has taken.

Referrals to a planning committee

All comments made will be included on the report submitted by the planning officer. Those who have commented will be notified that the application has been referred to a planning committee, and given chance to state their opinion before a decision is made.

More about planning committees

What information is published

Comments will be published on the Public Access website and will be open for viewing by members of the public. We will publish your name, address and comment only. Your e-mail address and telephone number will automatically be excluded from publishing if you submit your comment via Public Access. If you submit comments by any other means, redaction will be applied (blanking out or obscuring from public view) to e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and signatures.

It is important that you do not include your personal details in the actual body of your comment.

Defamatory comments

The council will not post comments submitted anonymously or those which it considers to contain libellous, discriminatory, defamatory or otherwise offensive remarks. The council has an absolute discretion in this matter, and reserves the right not to post comments in the event that by reason of the volume of comments submitted, it is not possible to check submissions for inappropriate content. The council dissociates itself from any comments made of a libellous, discriminatory, defamatory or otherwise offensive nature.

We have a procedure to lodge a complaint about any alleged defamatory material either on our website or the Public Access website.

Submit a complaint

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in commenting on planning applications

The council recognises that artificial intelligence (AI) may be used to prepare representations on planning applications, both in support of and in objection to proposed development. When used appropriately and transparently, AI can help individuals present their views more clearly and concisely by assisting with drafting, analysing and presenting information.

It is important that you tell us when AI has been used to create or substantially modify any representation submitted in relation to a planning application. We request this information so that we can better understand the origin and preparation of the material submitted for consideration. This helps ensure that planning decisions are fair, transparent and based on reliable information.

You do not need to declare the use of routine software functions such as spell-checking, grammar suggestions, formatting tools or accessibility features.

Anyone commenting on a planning application should use AI responsibly and take reasonable steps to ensure that any information generated is accurate, relevant and appropriate. The author remains responsible for the content and accuracy of all material submitted to the council.

When you need to tell us about AI use

Please tell us if AI has been used to:

  • draft or substantially rewrite a comment or representation.
  • generate, edit or alter images, plans, visualisations or other supporting material.
  • create content that goes beyond straightforward formatting.

How to tell us about AI use

A short statement within your representation will normally be sufficient.

What to include in your statement

Please briefly confirm:

  1. That AI was used
  2. Which AI tool or application was used (for example, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT or another application)
  3. How the AI tool was used and what it was used for
  4. What checks and verification you have undertaken, and confirmation that you accept responsibility for the accuracy of the submitted content and that it accurately reflects your own views.

Example statement

An example statement might be:

"Microsoft Copilot was used to assist in the preparation of this representation. The content was reviewed, verified and amended where necessary by the author, who accepts full responsibility for the accuracy of the information submitted."

Why we ask for this information

Providing a brief statement about the use of AI helps the council understand how representations have been prepared and enables them to be considered fairly and transparently.

While AI can be a valuable tool, it may produce information that is inaccurate, incomplete or misleading. Disclosure of AI use helps ensure that appropriate scrutiny can be applied and that all submitted material can be assessed with confidence.

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