Guidance on commenting on planning applications

Although the decision to approve or refuse an application will be made by Swale Borough Council, the parish council is a consultee, as are local residents.

If you wish to object to an application it is best to do so on ‘material grounds’. These include things such as:

• Design/appearance and visual impact

• Layout/scale/density

• Cumulative impact (other applications in the area)

• Ecology/landscape/effect on a conservation area

• Effect on a listed building/protected tree

• Adequacy of parking

• Traffic generation

• Access (to the site)/highway safety

• Loss of privacy

• Loss of daylight

• Noise/smell/dust/pollution

• Health/health and safety

• Crime (and fear of)

• Economic impact

• Government policy

• Previous planning decisions

The following are not material grounds and are unlikely to be taken into account:

• The applicant’s identity/background/circumstances

• Ownership of the land

• Loss of private view

• Loss of property value

• Loss of trade/increased competition

• Strength or volume of local opposition

• Moral issues

• Building regulations

• Restrictive covenants

If you are thinking of suggesting conditions (things that must be adhered to if the application is approved), they must be:

• Necessary

• Relevant to planning

• Related to the development in question

• Enforceable

• Precise

• Reasonable

There is also guidance available on SBC's website here.

Comments can be made online here, by email to planningcomments@midkent.gov.uk or by post to:

Mid Kent Planning Support

Maidstone House

King Street

Maidstone

ME15 6JQ