The Council has decided to take the unusual step by challenging the Secretary of States decision to allow the planning appeal at Box Road, Cam. In August 2011, Hallam Land Management, the owners of the site applied for planning permission to erect 71 homes (S.11/1682/FUL). In November 2011 Councillors refused permission citing the development was detached from the settlement boundary, would detract from the character and appearance of the countryside, and be unsustainable.

There followed a protracted appeal which took a year to come to a conclusion. During this time the Coalition Government repealed the national planning guidance and replaced it with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The Planning Inspector, on behalf of the Secretary of State, allowed the development stating that the Council had failed to demonstrate a five year land supply, a fundamental requirement of the NPPF.

The Council cannot challenge this decision merely on the grounds that the inspector came to the wrong conclusion, and following the failed challenge by Tewkesbury Borough Council , neither can the Council challenge on the basis that Localism should prevail.

The Council's argument is that the Inspector made fundamental errors in the way he approached the housing figures. The Council has lodged its challenge with the High Court and awaits a court hearing. If the Court agrees that the decision was flawed, then it is not overturned, but merely returned to the Secretary of State so that he can reconsider the case. Until the Court has ruled, the Box Road appeal stands.

In a further twist, the applicants have submitted the same scheme for a second time. This has a new number, S.13/0448/FUL and will be determined in due course.

32 retirement units at the Robert Timm's site on Cainscross Road – application S.12/1007/FUL was submitted on the 7 June 2012 by McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles Ltd. However, before the Development Control Committee had been given the opportunity to debate the application, the applicants appealed on the Grounds of Non-determination.

Local Authorities only get 8 weeks to determine small scale developments, and 13 weeks for major schemes. After that period, the applicants can pass the decision making on to the Secretary of State. It is for this very reason that Councils have to be rigid over consultation periods; ensuring the decision can be dispatched promptly.

Councillors subsequently debated the scheme and felt that the design was substandard and not suitable for such a prominent location. The Secretary of State has allowed the appeal feeling that the design is appropriate. The applicant is also negotiating a revised scheme S.12/2165/FUL.

Stroud District Council was proud to be part of the recent BBC2 series “The Planners”. Councillors and planners were featured in four of the eight episodes. These covered a housing proposal at Minchinhampton, a large garden shed in Brimscombe, a wedding venue in Elmore, and the appeal on the wind turbines in the Vale of Berkeley.

It is understood that a second series has been commissioned and that Stroud is likely to feature yet again.

At the September Council meeting, councillors voted to introduce public speaking at Development Control Committee (DCC). Approximately 1 in 20 applications are referred to DCC, predominantly those which are of major importance or have wider significance beyond their neighbourhood. The first meeting to include Public Speaking was that of the 8 November 2011.

At the beginning of each item, the Ward Cllr(s), a representative of the parish, those who oppose the scheme and those who support the project are allowed to make a statement to the Committee. This is not be an opportunity to introduce new evidence, but rather an ability to emphasis issues raised in written submissions already in the public domain. Each of the four slots will have a maximum of 3 minutes. If more than one person wishes to speak in any of the slots, the speakers are encouraged to appoint a spokesman to “speak for all” else the 3 minutes will be split equally.

An outline planning application for 140 homes has been submitted by Gladman Developments Ltd of Congleton, on land at Summer Street, Stroud. This application is scheduled to go before the Development Control Committee on the 23rd April at 6:00pm. Seating in the Council Chamber will be limited and locals are recommended to watch the proceedings through our webcasting software.

The final parts to the Council's Local Plan are being put together. Currently we are consulting on the Development Control Policies. Click here to view the consultation.

Did you know that you can view all the planning documents on current applications, and see the drawings and decision notice of all applications since 2005. Click here and use the simple search (if you know the number) or advanced search if you know the address or parish.

You can also save money of house conveyancing by downloading planning and building control decision notices from the site for FREE. Click here for planning decision notices and here for building control. Your solicitor will need these documents when you sell your property. Having them ready will save time and cost, particularly if your solicitor has to write to us for copies.

At the September Council meeting, councillors voted to introduce public speaking at Development Control Committee (DCC). Approximately 1 in 20 applications are referred to DCC, predominantly those which are of major importance or have wider significance beyond their neighbourhood. The first meeting to include Public Speaking was that of the 8 November 2011.

At the beginning of each item, the Ward Cllr(s), a representative of the parish, those who oppose the scheme and those who support the project are allowed to make a statement to the Committee. This is not be an opportunity to introduce new evidence, but rather an ability to emphasis issues raised in written submissions already in the public domain. Each of the four slots will have a maximum of 3 minutes. If more than one person wishes to speak in any of the slots, the speakers are encouraged to appoint a spokesman to “speak for all” else the 3 minutes will be split equally.

We operate a simple appointment system for future applicants who would like to speak to a planning officer. This is limited at busy times to 15 minutes. To arrange an appointment please email us or telephone 01453 754442. You will need to forward us as much detail as you can, so we can make the most of the time available. As a minimum we would need you to send us a site location plan, sketch drawings and an idea of what you are considering. If possible photographs of the site and its access would be beneficial. These should be sent at least 48 hrs before the appointment.

Currently pre-application advice is free, however, with the changes to the way the planning service is funded by Whitehall, this is under review.

About 1 in 20 applications go before the Development Control Committee. These are usually those which are either large scale or contentious. Requests for applications to go to the committee must be made by a district councillor. To see what has been to committee and what is scheduled for the next meeting, please view our democracy section.