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What happens to your planning application

On receipt

Within the first 5 working days we assess the validity of your application to see if it complies with the minimum statutory requirements. If valid we will: -

  • allocate the application to a case officer
  • place your application on the statutory register
  • send you an acknowledgment with the name and contact details of the case officer, the planning application reference number and your statutory rights regarding the timescale after which you can appeal against non-determination to the planning inspectorate.

If your application does not meet the requirements we will write to you advising of the reasons and/or the details that are required. A further period of 21 days will be given in order for you to forward the required details. If we do not receive these details we will return your application to you. Please note that if you have employed an agent/architect, the council will deal with this person, who is acting on your behalf.

You should be aware that any information that you supply or is supplied on your behalf by an agent is publicly available and may be used by persons or companies in targeting marketing material etc. The council is sorry but it is not able to prevent the use of this information in this way.

Assessment of your application

We must consult certain government departments, agencies and specialist interest groups in certain instances. We may also notify other council departments and interest groups depending on the nature of the proposal.

We also notify occupiers of property and land adjoining or opposite the site and may extend this to a wider area basis or use site notices and advertisements in the press. A minimum statutory period of 21 days is given for replies before any decision can be made.

We will try to determine your application within the following time periods but will strive where possible to better these timescales.

  • Major applications (10 or more houses, buildings over 1000 sq m or land over 0.5 hectares) in 13 weeks
  • Minor applications (industrial and commercial) in 8 weeks
  • Other applications (including householder applications) in 8 weeks

The case officer will visit the site as soon as possible and normally within 10 days of receipt of the application. You will be advised of the need for any further plans, drawings or other information normally within 5 days of this visit.

All applications are normally determined in accordance with the councils' unitary development plan and other supplementary guidelines and other published advice and information unless other relevant planning considerations outweigh the policies or guidance contained within these documents.

Who makes the decision?

The council has delegated the determination of most of its applications to the head of planning and transportation depending on the nature of the application and advice and representations received from the consultation and publicity of the application. This does not include major applications or those that may need to be referred to the appropriate secretary of state for consideration before a decision is made. A copy of the council's current scheme of delegation is available on request. All other applications will be reported to a committee comprising of members of the council which will make the decision.

What happens once a decision is made?

You or your agent will be notified of the decision in writing. This will not include copies of stamped approved plans. However, these can be provided on request for an additional fee. You should retain copies of plans or ask your agent for copies.

Planning permissions are usually granted subject to conditions, which are binding on the implementation of the development and must be complied with. The council monitors these in order to make sure they are complied with.

If your application is refused you will be advised in writing of the reasons. We will also be pleased to discuss these reasons with you and advise of any suggestions or amendments that we feel may result in a positive decision on resubmission.

Can I appeal?

If you wish to challenge the decision or a planning condition imposed then you have a statutory right to appeal to the planning inspectorate. Full details will be included with your decision notice.

Development control planning charter

To offer you the best possible service a development control planning charter has been produced in consultation with representatives of users of the service. Copies are available on request or view the Development Control Charter (PDF 424KB)

Contact us

Regeneration - Planning and Building Control
2nd Floor, Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DG

Email planningservices@walsall.gov.uk
Telephone (01922) 652452
Textphone and TextBox 0845 111 2910
Translation Line (01922) 652426
Fax (01922) 623234

Visit us

At the First Stop Shop www.walsall.gov.uk/first_stop_shop.htm

Office opening times

  • Monday: 8.45am – 5.15pm
  • Tuesday: 8.45am – 5.15pm
  • Wednesday: 9.30am – 5.15pm
  • Thursday: 8.45am – 5.15pm
  • Friday: 8.45am - 4.45pm

Complaints/compliments

Please view our complaints and compliments webpage where you can complete an online contact form or alternatively you can print and complete our comments, compliments and complaints form.

This page was last updated on 25 January 2010