As part of the Council's initiative to encourage more involvement in its work the Planning Control Committee has a policy of listening to views about significant planning proposals.
They are often matters of great concern and the Committee has to make decisions in the public interest and in the context of the Development Plan and Planning Policy Guidance.
The Committee meets once a month in Bury Town Hall at 7.00 p.m. The meetings are also announced in the local press.
You are invited to attend and take part by speaking, explaining your concerns, either for or against a proposal, or simply listening to the Committee debate.
If you are interested in a particular application the Planning Office will tell you when it is to be considered. If you know the development control officer ask him/her or telephone 0161 253 5432 or email planning@bury.gov.uk
Arrive by 6.50 p.m. You will be able to look at the planning application reports on the Agenda and let one of the officers know which application you are interested in. It can then be brought forward on the Agenda and dealt with in the first part of the meeting.
Each item will be introduced by the Chair who will then invite comments from the public. Only one person will be allowed to speak for, and one against a proposal. If more people are interested they will be asked to agree who the single spokesperson should be.
Where the Committee has visited a site speakers should bear in mind that most Members will be familiar with points made on the visit.
Each speaker will be allowed to speak for a maximum of three minutes.
The Chief Planning Officer will then bring any necessary information, in addition to that contained in his report, to the Committee's attention.
After any further discussion by Committee Members, in which the public cannot take part, the decision will be taken by the Committee.
The Committee's decision is final; but applicants have a right of appeal to the Secretary of State for the Environment if their application is refused or if conditions are attached which they do not like. In this event anyone who has written about the original application will be informed. Third parties e.g. objectors cannot appeal against a decision to grant permission.
After hearing the Committee's decision you are welcome to stay and listen to the discussion about other applications.
Development Control Team, Department of Environment and Development Services,
2nd Floor, Craig House, 5 Bank Street, Bury, BL9 0DN
Tel: 0161 253 5432
Fax: 0161 253 5290
Email: development.control@bury.gov.uk 