On Friday 27th June Cherwell District Council announced that their planning committee is meeting on Thursday 3rd July at 4pm to discuss the warehousing applications.

After the many delays and extensions CDC is giving locals less than a week’s notice and makes this a daytime meeting to boot. NORA is not impressed.

It appears planning officers are recommending this proposal for approval.

If you want to speak on this application, you will need to email Democratic Services, democracy@cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk, no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 2nd July. Full details will be provided to registered speakers by Democratic Services.

What can I do?

• Apply to speak at the meeting. You can arrange to do this by emailing Democratic Services, democracy@cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk, no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 2nd July. They will then provide full details to registered speakers. Speaking time is allocated on first come, first served basis.

• If you can’t attend yourself, try to find someone who can…

• Share this information far and wide so more people know about it

Tips for speaking at a planning meeting

• Stay within your allocated time, in this case max. 5 mins. A group representing an organisation with multiple speakers must share their five minutes between them.
• Focus on matters that are relevant to planning decisions, meaning the things the committee must take into account such as suitability of the site, highway safety, traffic, design and appearance, whether the development overlooks or over-dominates the area. 
• Reference and if helpful expand on arguments made by any speakers before you to reinforce their importance to the committee. Be careful not to repeat too much, though.
• Emphasise any points not yet made by speakers so far.
• The committee cannot take into consideration any non-material arguments. This includes any other proposed developments in the area, because these will be considered separately and on their own merits.
• Link your arguments to national and local planning policy and guidance where possible.

You can find the planning committee papers here.