Wakes Colne Parish Council

The Planning Services section of Colchester Borough Council (CBC) provides Wakes Colne Parish Council with details of all relevant Planning Applications received, thereby giving parishioners the opportunity to express an opinion on proposed developments. The Parish Council reviews each Application and propose a response to CBC after considering:

• written comments from parishioners
• the Village Design Statement and the Parish Plan (BUT see below)
• the Rural Area and Conservation Areas
• village envelopes
• responses to the Application posted on the CBC planning website
• changes in planning legislation and guidelines
• the Material Planning Considerations followed by CBC, which currently exclude the Village Design Statement and the Parish Plan; these cannot be considered by CBC in reaching a planning decision.

The Parish Council decides the response to CBC, (which can be viewed at PlanningOpens new window) and which generally will take the form of a brief statement that:

• there is no objection to the application, or:
• there are concerns that should be addressed before the application is approved, or:
• the proposal is unacceptable, giving the reasons for the opinion

All responses can be seen by parishioners in the Parish Council minutes and on the CBC planning website under the Planning Application number.

It must be remembered that CBC is responsible for planning decisions, and Wakes Colne Parish Council, on behalf of parishioners, may only express an opinion. Decisions may contradict this opinion.

Details of Planning Applications

CBC gives details of applications to immediate neighbours and the Ward Councillor, as well as to Wakes Colne Parish Council, and appropriate notices are displayed near the site in question. Details may also be inspected on the CBC planning website.

Commenting on Planning Applications

If a parishioner wishes to comment on an application they should, always quoting the relevant application number:

• email the comments to planning.services@colchester.gov.uk or,
• write to Head of Environmental & Protective Services, Rowan House, 33 Sheepen Road, Colchester CO3 3WG
• copy the letter or email to the Parish Clerk, Diane Jacob, 5 Crocklands, Greenstead Green, Halstead, Essex CO9 1QY or email  parishclerk@wakescolne.org
• Parishioners may make a verbal presentation of their comments at the monthly Parish Council meeting (maximum duration three minutes). A verbal presentation may also be made at the relevant CBC Planning Committee meeting; please note that procedures at this meeting are strictly controlled, and it is strongly advised to consult with the Ward Councillor beforehand to ensure that the presentation is acceptable and effective.

All applications are dealt with by CBC according to a regulated timetable, and parishioners must comply with the deadlines imposed.