Protocol for speaking at the development control committee
The Development Control Committee is made up of 12 councillors who meet every six weeks at County Hall, Preston. Meetings start at 10.30am.
How to register to speak
If you want to speak about a planning application at a meeting, you must register first. Please complete the registration form.
Register as soon as possible before the meeting.
You must register by 12 noon, three clear working days before the meeting.
For major applications, different timescales may apply.
Who can speak at meetings
The following people can usually speak at meetings, in this order:
Anyone objecting to the planning application
Anyone supporting the proposal
Elected representatives
The applicant or their agent
Each speaker has three minutes to speak. Your comments must be about the planning application only. You are responsible for what you say, so please do not make personal or defamatory remarks. Meetings are held in public, so your comments will be in the public domain.
A maximum of 30 people can speak on each planning application or linked applications. There are 15 slots for people supporting an application and 15 slots for people opposing it. More details about who can speak are in Part 2, Article 2.9 of the Council's Constitution.
Speakers will be contacted before the meeting to confirm attendance, either by telephone or email.
What happens at the meeting
When you arrive, the Committee Support Officer will show you to your seat. You can watch the meeting with other speakers. When it is your turn, you will be invited to the table to speak. After you have spoken, you will return to your seat so the next speaker can take their turn. When all speakers have finished, the committee may discuss your comments and other information before making a decision.
General information
The agenda and reports are published at least five working days before the meeting and are available for public inspection.
Meetings are held in public and are webcast (broadcast online). This includes public speakers. By asking to speak, you agree to appear on the webcast. If you have concerns about this, please tell us when you register.
You may send a small number of photographs or illustrations to support your presentation. Send these to the Committee Support Officer at least three working days before the meeting. No documents can be handed out at the meeting.
You can only speak once on an application or linked applications. If the committee postpones a decision after you have spoken, you cannot speak again, but your views will still be considered. If the application is deferred before you have spoken, you will be able to speak when the committee next considers the application.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you have any special needs for accessing the meeting room, for example, if you use a wheelchair.
Who to contact
If you have any questions, please contact:
Development Control Committee Support Officer
Democratic Services Team
Lancashire County Council
P.O. Box 78
County Hall
Fishergate
Preston
PR1 8XJ
Email: democratic.services@lancashire.gov.uk
Tel: 01772 533380