Comment on a planning application
Anyone can comment on, support or object to a planning application.
Publication of comments
Your comment, including your name and address, which must be provided, will be published on this website, and will also be made available for by any interested party. It will:
- Form part of our Statutory Register of Planning Applications
- Be published on our website
- Be made available for public inspection at the Town Hall
Due to legislation, we cannot accept anonymous objections/letters of support and require a full postal address with any representation made.
If you comment, your name and address will only be visible while an application is being decided, or if there is an appeal.
Optional information
You do not have to provide your telephone number or email address. Do not include this information (including on the online form) if you do not want it to be published on our website.
If you are sending a letter, it is advisable not to sign it if you do not want your signature to appear on the website. If you choose to comment by sending us an email, then to avoid your email address also appearing on this website, send your comments as an attachment to the email.
Comments and decision-making
We welcome any comments, whether in support of an application or objecting to it, but in making a decision we can only take account of planning considerations.
These include matters like:
- The effect on traffic or parking
- The appearance of the proposal
- Overlooking or disturbance
- Loss of light or privacy
- Impact on the local environment
- Whether the proposed use is suitable
We cannot take into account matters like:
- Loss of property value
- Private disputes between neighbours
- Matters covered by leases or covenants
- The impact of construction work
- Competition between firms
- Party Wall issues
We also cannot accept comments which include statements of a defamatory nature. If such comments are identified, they will be returned and will not be taken into consideration when assessing the planning application.
How to make a comment
We encourage electronic working and recommend representations on applications are made online.
Commenting online
The information you enter on the online form will be made available on our website. Comments submitted online will be visible within two working hours.
There is a 4,000 character limit for comments, if your comment exceeds this you will need to submit an additional form. Do not include your email address or telephone number in the main comment text box. There is a personal details page at the end of the form.
To make your comment online, follow these steps:
- First, find the application by entering information (planning application reference number, and/or other details) into our Planning Explorer. You must ensure there are no spaces after entering the application reference number
- Select the application reference number which is in blue text, in the table that appears
- Scroll down the page and click the blue ‘search’ button
- Once you have found the planning application, click on the link 'View Associated Application Documents & Make Online Comments for Live Applications' in the left hand column of the table
- If the application is still open for consultation, scroll down the page to a button that says Comment on application
- Select this button and the screen will change to the online commenting screen. Then follow the directions on the page and enter the details according to the box
Timescales
Most planning applications are subject to a statutory 21-day consultation process so that interested parties (such as neighbours) or statutory consultees (such as Transport for London) can review and make comments.
Try to submit your representation before the end of the consultation period. However, due to ongoing postal delays, we will accept comments after the statutory consultation period until a decision is made. If you need additional time, please contact the case officer to advise.
Consultation of amendments
Sometimes, applications are amended due to negotiations by the planning officer, to overcome a problem or because of a change of mind by the applicant.
The decision as to whether to consult on amended plans will be judged on the individual circumstances of each case. It will be based on the nature and extent of the amendments. Minor changes to plans (particularly where they have a similar or lesser impact) would not normally be publicised.
This judgement is made to prevent unnecessary delays in the processing of applications and to avoid the unjustified expense of re-publicising minor changes to a scheme.
When re-consultation is undertaken, typically neighbours will have 14 days to comment.
Comments on planning applications can also be submitted via email to planning@wandsworth.gov.uk, however those submitted using the online form will be processed more quickly.
Application outcomes
It is not always possible to respond individually to comments, however the outcome of the application and all associated application documents can be viewed online.
The easiest way to access the application documents is to enter the application number only, using the Planning quick search.