Editor's Note: The following information was provided by the Clerk to Horstead with Stanninghall Parish Council.

Norfolk County Council: Your Right To Speak

At meetings of the County Council's Planning (Regulatory) Committee, the public are now able to speak before decisions are made on planning applications.

This leaflet explains the steps you should take to ensure your voice is heard.

Who can speak at meetings?

Anybody who wishes to object to, or support, a planning application which will be decided by the County Council's Planning (Regulatory) Committee. These meetings are usually held in one of our committee rooms at County Hall.

How do I state my point of view?

You must:

Give written notice that you intend to speak about an item to the Head of Democratic Services 48 hours before the Committee meets, together with a short note of the points to be raised, if not previously done.

How long can I speak for - and when will I be called?

At the start of the meeting, the Committee Chairman will ask members of the public if they wish to speak, and if so, to what items.

A total of fifteen minutes of public speaking on each item is provided for, but in exceptional circumstances this may be amended at the discretion of the Chairman of the Committee.

District, Parish or Town Council representatives, and those from any other public body, will speak first, followed by the applicant or any supporters of the application, and finally, by any objectors.

Five minutes will be allowed for each group. Therefore if you are one of a group of objectors or supporters, it would be extremely helpful if you could nominate one person to speak on your behalf.

It may be possible to change the agenda in cases that have aroused particular public interest.

Will a decision be made at the meeting?

Most applications will be discussed and a decision made at the meeting, but occasionally the Committee may defer a decision, to allow time to visit the site, or to get further information.

Please note that some applications of a non-controversial nature may not be reported to the Committee.

Who do I contact or more information?

You can write to:

Head of Democratic Services Norfolk County Council County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich NRl 2DH

quoting the relevant reference,

or you can call direct the officer dealing with the application (in the Department of Planning and Transportation) who will be able to advise you of the date of the Committee when the application is likely to be considered.

Staff from our Democratic Services Department will be on hand half an hour before the meeting is due to start to answer any problems you may have. Your contact in Democratic Services is Lesley Rudelhoff.