On receipt of an application the local Parish or Town Council is immediately notified and sent a copy of the plans and other information received.

In addition, consultations are carried out with specialist agencies and other interested parties to obtain views on issues such as access, parking, drainage, pollution, archaeological and nature conservation matters.

We inform any local residents adjacent to an application site of the proposal and erect a site notice.

• Anyone can comment on a planning application you do not have to be a neighbour
• You can comment either:
  • by email at planningcontrol@babergh.gov.uk
  • by using our e-form
  • by letter to the Planning Department at the address show on Council Offices page
• We can only accept representations if they are in writing and contain a full postal address
• We will disregard any comments that are offensive, abusive, racist or discriminatory
• Any comments submitted will be made public and will be passed on to the Secretary of State and the appellant if the application is refused and an appeal is made against that decision

When making decisions on applications, the District Council can only take into account planning matters.  These might include, for example, whether:

• the proposal is in line with planning policies for Babergh
• the proposed use is a suitable one for the area
• the design of the new building is in keeping with the surrounding area
• the adjoining properties will be overshadowed, overlooked or will suffer a loss of privacy
• the proposal will increase noise and disturbance from extra traffic or other activities
• the new roads and accesses are safe for all road users
• the proposal includes adequate car parking, cycling, refuse and storage facilities

We cannot take into account:

• loss of view from your property
• boundary and other disputes between neighbours
• speculation about the value of properties
• moral objections, for example, to betting shops or amusement arcades
• any matters relating to the construction process

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