A planning committee is made up of a small number of local authority councillors who sit on the Planning Committee who must represent the interests of the whole community and maintain an open mind when considering planning applications. Where councillors take decisions on planning applications, they must do so in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Local opposition or support for a proposal is not in itself a ground for refusing or granting planning permission. Councillors can choose to determine the application in accordance with an officer’s recommendation, or they can add additional conditions to a grant of permission. Alternatively, they can choose to go against an officer’s recommendation, whether that is to grant or refuse permission. If permission is to be refused this must be for material planning reasons.
Councillors are subject to a code of conduct and should not make racist comments.
Most LPAs allow people to speak for and against an application, normally for only 3 minutes. A few LPAs then allow the committee to ask questions – but this is unusual. After the 3 minutes is done you cannot take any further part in the meeting.