Planning

Planning Committee 

Chobham Parish Council’s Planning Committee consists of all Parish Councillors and usually meets every three weeks to consider planning matters affecting the parish. Surrey Heath Borough Council (the local planning authority) consults the Parish Council on planning applications within Chobham, enabling the Committee to consider each proposal and submit comments and recommendations. The Parish Council does not determine planning applications, but it provides a local perspective and makes recommendations having regard to relevant planning policies, material planning considerations and any representations received from members of the public.

Commenting on planning applications

Members of the public are encouraged to submit comments on planning applications directly to Surrey Heath Borough Council, in order for them to be taken into account when the application is determined. Comments should focus on material planning considerations, such as planning policy, design, impact on neighbouring properties, highways, heritage, landscape and the environment.

Residents or other interested parties are also welcome to send a copy of their representations to Chobham Parish Council or raise planning matters with the Planning Committee. Members of the public may attend Planning Committee meetings and, subject to the Council’s public participation arrangements (which are set out on each agenda), speak on planning applications or other planning matters

Planning Committee meetings

Planning Committee meetings are usually held every third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Agendas are published on or before the Thursday prior to each meeting, and minutes are approved at the next scheduled meeting before being published on the Parish Council’s website. Following each meeting, the Parish Council’s representations are submitted to Surrey Heath Borough Council and become available to view on the Borough Council’s online planning system.

Pre-application engagement

Applicants with larger or more significant development proposals are welcome to engage with the Planning Committee to discuss their proposals. The Committee cannot indicate whether it would ultimately support an application, but it can provide local information and identify planning issues that may assist in developing the scheme. Any pre-application presentations or discussions take place during Committee meetings and are open for the public to attend.

For development planning information and pre-application advice from Surrey Heath Borough Council, please view the Surrey Heath Pre-application Advice web page (external link).

Policies and consultations

The Planning Committee presents the Parish Council’s recommendations and views on emerging planning policy or other relevant planning matters to Government, local Borough Councils and other public bodies. This is normally by way of consultation responses, copies of which are available for download on the Planning Consultations page. For more information about planning policy, please see the page on Planning Policy.

Enforcement and appeals

Planning enforcement is the responsibility of Surrey Heath Borough Council. Members of the public wishing to report a potential planning breach should do so directly to Surrey Heath Borough Council by completing a planning enforcement investigation questionnaire (external link). The Parish Council monitors planning enforcement cases brought to its attention where they affect the parish and also keeps track of planning appeals within Chobham.

Contact

For all Parish Council related planning matters, please contact the Planning Co-ordinator at planning@chobhamparishcouncil.org

You may also contact the planning authority Surrey Heath Borough Council directly, or via the Borough Councillors for Chobham and Windlesham ward (external links).