Since 3 February 2025, comments on our website do not show your name or address. Comments made before this date may still show this information. You can find more details in our privacy policy.

Publicising applications

When we receive a planning application, we let people know and ask for comments. This is called a period of publicity.

The Local Planning Authority (LPA) must:

• send letters to properties next to the application site
• put up a site notice near the location
• put a notice in a newspaper if needed, for example, listed buildings, conservation areas or public rights of way

Who can comment

You do not have to live nearby to comment. Anyone can send:

• objections or concerns
• support for the proposal
• general comments

If a new application is made for the same site, we will contact people who commented within a reasonable time.

What you can comment on

The LPA can only make decisions on planning considerations such as:

• loss of light or privacy
• parking, traffic, or road safety
• noise, smells, or disturbance
• impact on wildlife, trees, or landscapes
• design, appearance and materials
• impact on listed buildings or conservation areas
• layout and number of buildings
• flooding

We also follow the National Planning Policy and local planning policies found on the relevant LPA website.

What you cannot comment on

We cannot consider:

• building regulations or other laws, including fire safety, structural problems and environmental health
• disputes between neighbours including boundaries, land ownership, damage or right of way and private agreements
• building work issues including noise, vehicles or dust during construction
• personal matters about the applicant or business
• competition between businesses or companies
• loss of property value
• loss of a private view

What your comment must include

Comments must have:

• the application number and site address
• your name and address
• the date

We will not publish or consider comments that:

• contain photos or videos of people
• include personal details about others
• are racist, offensive, or inappropriate
• are confidential or anonymous

We cannot accept comments without a name or address. If you are worried, you can ask your local councillor to submit your comment on your behalf. You must tell them:

• the application reference number
• your name, address, and the date
• the site address

Comment deadlines

You will usually have 21 days to submit comments. Deadlines will be published:

• on the site notice
• in the letter sent to neighbours
• on the planning website under “important dates”

Send us a comment

All comments must be in writing. You can use our planning website to:

• view new and historic applications
• register your interest in sites, roads and areas
• get application updates
• send us your comments

You can also email your comments to planningcomments@midkent.gov.uk or by post:

What happens next

If you comment online or by email, you will get an automatic reply. If you comment by post, you will not get a reply. We receive lots of comments and cannot reply to each one.

All comments are read, recorded and summarised in a report by a planning officer. The report will assess the application and address any planning matters.

How decisions are made

Most applications are decided by planning officers. These are known as delegated decisions. The Planning Committee of elected councillors will make other decisions.

A report is written for each application that:

• explains the proposal
• summarises comments
• addresses planning matters and policies

All comments are considered before a decision is made. Decisions are made to protect the public interest, not just one person.

If you have commented on an application that will be decided by the Planning Committee, we will tell you in writing.

Changes to applications

The law does not say we must ask for more comments if plans change. The LPA will decide if more comments are needed by checking:

• how serious the original concerns were
• how big the changes are
• whether the changes are more harmful
• if earlier comments already cover the changes

If needed, we will decide who to contact and how long they will have to reply. We balance the need for publicity with making decisions on time.

Decisions

You can find the target decision date on the planning website under “important dates”. Most decisions are made in about eight weeks, but this can change.

We do not send decision notices directly to you. To find out a decision, you can create an account and opt in to receive updates. You will be notified when documents are added to the application.

All decisions are supported by the case officer’s report and a decision notice. Both will be on the planning website under “documents”.

Appeals

If a decision is appealed, the case goes to the Planning Inspectorate (PI). We will tell you about an appeal if you live next to the site or if you sent a comment.

We will tell you:

• details of the appeal
• what happens next
• the timetable for a decision

All comments received before the decision was made will be sent to the PI.

From 1 April 2026, new comments cannot be sent at the appeal stage if the development has fewer than ten houses.