Notes about the Planning Process

Before making an application, applicant’s are advised to see guidance via the Council’s pre-application enquiry service (One Stop Shop) this will assist you in ensuring that you have all the necessary information for validation and help you to identify and address any issues likely to arise.  A link to this service is available on the Council’s website.

All applications are dealt with by a case officer.

On receipt of an application it will be checked that all necessary information is included.  If so the case officer will validate the application and make sure that any other Council departments or outside bodies with an interest in a scheme have been consulted and given the opportunity to comment on it. This is a legal requirement and a minimum of 21 days is normally allowed for this procedure.

They will make sure that neighbours are also told about the proposal either by letter and/or the display of a site notice and/or press advertisement and given the opportunity to comment. This is a legal requirement and a minimum of 21 days is normally allowed for this procedure. If anyone is interested in a particular application and have not already been consulted they can log on to our public access portal  and view and comment on an application on line. Written representations can be sent to the address below or emailed to developmentcontrol@hartlepool.gov.uk.

Development Control Manager
Level 1
Civic Centre
Hartlepool
TS24 8AY

The case officer will also visit the application site to assess the proposal in its surroundings.

Once the initial procedures have been completed, the case officer will make a detailed assessment of the proposal. If they have concerns and feel these can be overcome by changing the application in some way, or by imposing a condition(s), they may discuss this with the applicant. Conditions could for example limit the hours of operation of a use to prevent late night disturbance to neighbours. If not, they are likely to recommend refusal of the application.

If the case officer is satisfied with the proposal they are likely to recommend approval to it.

Major or particularly contentious applications will be considered by a Committee of Councillors (the Committee), which meets generally around every four weeks. More straightforward applications, where Council policy or guidelines are clear or where there are not more than two letters of objections from the occupiers of different properties, do not have to go to Councillors for decision. Decisions can be taken by the Planning & Development Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee.

The Council has introduced a procedure where applicants/supporters and objectors will be given the chance to speak to the Committee before it makes a decision on an application it has been asked to decide. Where more than one person wishes to speak for or against a proposal, one person will be expected to represent the others. If anyone wants to speak to the Committee if it is asked to consider an application they should indicate in their response to the application. The case officer will tell them later if the application is to be considered by the Committee. They will write to explain how this will happen.

In normal circumstances a formal notice outlining the Council’s decision on the application will be issued. There is a right of appeal against the decision if an applicant is unhappy with it to the independent Planning Inspectorate. The procedure for an appeal will be explained on the decision notice and further information on appeals is available the Planning Inspectorate Website (link below). There is no right of appeal for anyone other than the appellant.

Planning Inspectorate - GOV.UK

Updated 20/06/2025