Standing up for the countryside – responding to planning applications & consultations

From homes and businesses in the right locations to greening brownfield eyesores in urban locations, making the best use of the space we have is a key campaign priority for CPRE.

From homes and businesses in the right locations to greening brownfield eyesores in urban locations, making the best use of the space we have is a key campaign priority for CPRE. 

We also need to do more to provide the truly affordable homes we need – particularly in the countryside. But it’s vital that the right kinds of houses are built in the right places. The places we live should provide us with access to everything we need for a good quality of life. It’s just common sense.

We’re working with local partners and urging the government to create well-designed, vibrant places that people want to live in – with the homes people need, great public transport links and easy access to work, leisure and nature.

CPRE research has demonstrated that releasing land from the Green Belt does not lead to affordable homes.  There is an often unrecognised supply of previously developed land, generally in much more sustainable locations, that could be used for desperately needed new housing. 

We get lots of requests for help in commenting on planning applications. Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to respond to every planning application individually, but we recognise that there are many applications that will affect our green spaces. We encourage individuals or community groups wanting to stand up for the countryside in their areas to take part in consultations by their local planning authorities, which are usually within county, district, city or borough councils.

We believe that a community voice in planning in the local area is essential. That’s where you can help…

Our members have put together a very useful guide for responding to planning applications and we have created a summary of the 9 step guide for you here…

1. Look at the planning application

All planning applications are available to view on the relevant local planning authority’s website. 


2. Visit the site of the proposed development to assess its likely effects

Take photos of the site and anywhere else where you think will be affected. You can send in photos with your comments.

 3. Decide whether the proposal will affect your interest in the local area (house prices and views from private properties are not a planning consideration)

These must be relevant to the planning application. Extra traffic, impact on bats and birds, visual intrusion/loss of light, loss of residents amenity, etc are issues that matter.

4. Examine relevant planning documents and strategies

You can look at copies of the National Planning Policy Framework, Strategic Plan, local plan, and Neighbourhood Plans (where they exist) at your local planning authority’s office, libraries or on the authority’s website.Think about how you can use the policy wording to support your arguments.

5. Decide on your action

Depending on your concerns and the strength of policies supporting your view, you need to decide whether to accept, seek amendment, actively support or outright object to the application.

6. Speak to the planning officer

When you have considered the application details, have read relevant planning policies and have focused your concerns, it is useful to speak to the planning case officer responsible for the application.

7. Put your comments in writing and send the letter to the planning authority

If speaking to the planning officer does not satisfy your concerns and you still feel strongly about adverse impacts of a planning application, then write to the planning department.

8. Gather support for your views

Think about gathering support from other members of your community, elected representatives within the parish council or local authority. You can also contact your MP. The planning officer will consult other officers in the local planning authority about an application. 

9. Speak at the planning committee meeting

Applications are decided (or “determined” in the jargon) at either planning committees (or “planning boards”) or by planning officers who are allowed to made delegated decisions about small, uncontentious applications.

• To read the guide in full click here ‘9 steps to influence a planning application‘.