Decisions and appeals

Guidance on public speaking at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council planning committee meetings

We allow public speaking at meetings of our planning committee. This note outlines the key elements of that system.

Who can speak?

The following can speak:

  • any member of the public who has submitted representations on the relevant application not less than 14 days before the date of the committee meeting
  • a town or parish council representative
  • the applicant

How many people can speak?

Only one from each of the following categories:

  • an objector
  • a supporter
  • a town or parish council representative
  • the applicant

How do I request to speak?

You can make your request by:

  • giving notice to the Head of Planning before 12:00 noon on the day before the committee meeting
  • post to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Castle House, Barracks Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1BL

You will need to say which item you want to speak on, and whether you want to speak in favour of or against the application concerned.

How long can I speak?

For a maximum of 5 minutes.

What can I speak about?

Speakers must confine their speeches solely to the material planning considerations and merits of the application in question. More information on what ranks as a material planning consideration and what does not is available on the council’s website. Speakers are not permitted to ask questions.

We expect speakers to conduct themselves in an appropriate and respectful manner and not to indulge in violent, abusive or threatening behaviour or language to anyone. Further guidance is set out in Section A3 of our constitution under 'citizens' responsibilities'.

Can additional materials be circulated?

Speakers will not be permitted to circulate, display or refer to any plans, photographs or other materials at the committee meeting, other than materials which have been registered on the planning application file during the statutory consultation period (or any extension of the same).

When must I turn up?

If your request to speak is agreed, you need to arrive at Castle House, Barracks Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1BL, 20 minutes before the meeting starts and make yourself known to the Committee Clerk who will be present. This is so that you can be taken through the meeting procedures and how the meeting will work. Any failure to be present at start of the meeting will result in the loss of the right to speak at the meeting.

Committee meeting
  

View the application documents

Instructions

  1. View the details of this application
      
  2. Insert 'reference number'
     
  3. Select the 'associated documents' tab
      
  4. Select 'view associated documents'

This will show a complete list of the available documents for your use.

To view the documents highlight the item you require and select 'view'.

Public speaking in support or against applications

Public speakers are given a maximum of 5 minutes in which to make their verbal representations, after which they take no further part in the proceedings but they are still be able to listen to the debate and the remainder of the meeting, should they wish to do so.

Please note: we may have to share your personal details with other parties if there is more than one person registered to speak in the same category, for or against an agenda item, in order to enable discussions to be held amongst parties as to who is to speak. It would therefore be helpful if you could provide your telephone number, in addition to your name and address.

The planning committee meeting will be recorded and uploaded on YouTube following the meeting.