Planning Committee procedures

The Government has introduced a mandatory National Scheme of Delegation for all local planning authorities in England which comes into force 31 October 2026. The scheme establishes which planning applications and related matters are determined by planning officers under delegated powers and which matters are referred to planning committee for determination.

To ensure compliance with the new national requirements, the Council approved amendments to its Scheme of Delegation at planning committee on 22 July 2026. These arrangements are effective immediately and apply to all planning applications and related matters determined by the council in its role as local planning authority.

As a result of these changes, ward members, Town and Parish Councils can no longer require a planning application to be referred to planning committee for determination. Applications will only be considered by planning committee where they meet the criteria set out in the National Scheme of Delegation and the council's adopted Scheme of Delegation.

The Council remains committed to engaging with local communities, elected members and Town and Parish Councils throughout the planning process. All comments and representations received on planning applications will continue to be fully considered before a decision is made.

View the Scheme of Delegation (.pdf Size: 405Kb)

About the Planning Committee

The Planning Committee comprises of:

  • a chair
  • a vice chair
  • seven other borough councillors.

The Planning Committee meetings are held in public and they meet on a four week cycle, where public speaking allows for some representations to be made for a period of three minutes.

View the Planning Online portal to view the latest scheduled Planning Committee meetings

View more information about the scheduling and timing of planning committee meetings.

What happens if my application is going to be considered by the Planning Committee 

Visit Planning Online to find out if your application is going to be considered by the Planning Committee you will not be automatically informed, it is your responsibility to check, you can also find out by speaking to a member of the Development Management team team on 01952 380380.

Visit Planning Online to find out if your application is going to be considered by the Planning Committee

  • An officer prepares a report and makes a recommendation to the committee, which is available five working days prior to the meeting.
  • Further representations are permitted by members of the public up until 48 hours prior to the committee and these must be made by email to planning.control@telford.gov.uk and labelled ‘urgent for planning committee’, representations made after this time may not be reported.
  • On occasions a site visit is conducted by the members of the committee. Whilst members of the public are permitted to attend the visit, no engagement or debate is allowed as this would prejudice the predetermination of the application.

Watch the proceedings via the live stream on YouTube

How can I register my interest in speaking at the Planning Committee

If you wish to speak at the Planning Committee you need to register your interest to the Democratic Services team, no later than 5pm, two working days before the meeting:

Telephone: 01952 383205
Email: PublicSpeaking@telford.gov.uk

By letter to:

Democratic Services
Telford & Wrekin Council
Darby House
Lawn Central
Telford Town Centre
Telford
TF3 4JA

View information and guidance on the Planning Committee meetings