You can speak in support of, or in objection to, a planning application at the Planning Committee.
This procedure does not apply to applications decided by Council Officers (often referred to as decisions made under delegated powers or delegated decisions).
What kind of applications go to the Planning Committee?
Applications that go to the Planning Committee include:
- Major commercial developments, large-scale residential proposals, or strategic schemes.
- Minerals and waste applications.
- Applications that do not comply with the policies of the Development Plan.
- Applications where transparency is required (for example, where the applicant is a senior Council officer or an elected councillor).
Where and when
The Committee meets at:
JR Clynes Building
Cultural Quarter
Greaves Street
Oldham
OL1 1AL
Meetings start at 6.00pm, unless otherwise stated on the published agenda.
Agendas
Agendas are published five clear days before the Committee meeting.
The agenda lists all applications to be considered by the Committee, although occasionally items may be withdrawn at short notice:
Agendas are also available for public inspection at the JR Clynes Building, Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL.
Speaking at the Committee
If you wish to speak on a planning application, please inform Constitutional Services as soon as possible — only the first person to do so will normally be invited to speak.
The deadline to register to speak is 12 noon on the day of the Committee meeting.
You can register by emailing: constitutional.services@oldham.gov.uk
Each application is limited to:
- One objector (or a representative of objectors).
- The applicant (or a representative of the applicant).
You can speak for up to three minutes. This time limit will be strictly enforced. Speakers should make comments only — questions to officers or Committee Members are not permitted, and you cannot take part in the debate.
A Ward Councillor may also speak on an application in their ward. Ward Councillors can speak for up to five minutes and should make comments only, without asking questions of officers or Committee Members.
You are not allowed to bring new information (such as plans or photographs) for distribution immediately before or during the meeting. Any additional information should be discussed with the Planning Team before the meeting.
If you arrive after an application has been dealt with, you will not be allowed to speak on that item.
Where several objectors wish to speak, the Committee Administrator will ask them to nominate one spokesperson. If no agreement is reached, the first person to have registered will be invited to speak.
What happens at a meeting
- The order of the agenda may be changed on the night so that applications with registered speakers are heard first.
- Due to limited capacity in the Council Chamber, observers will be invited into the public gallery for each application. If capacity is reached, the meeting will be live-streamed in one of our meeting rooms.
- The Committee receives a report on each application, which sets out all relevant considerations and includes an officer recommendation.
- The Planning Officer introduces the report and updates the Committee on any new matters (such as additional representations listed in the Late List).
- The Chair invites the objector (or their representative) to address the Committee.
- Members may ask the objector questions to clarify any points raised.
- The Chair then invites the applicant (or their representative) to speak in support of the application and respond to any issues raised.
- Members may also ask the applicant questions for clarification.
- Planning or other officers (such as Highway Engineers) may then be invited to comment on issues raised.
- The Committee will then debate the application, ask any further questions, and usually make a decision at the meeting (see Deferred applications below).
- After your item has been considered, we will ask observers to leave the Council Chamber so we can invite in observers for the next application.
Deferred applications
An application may be deferred by the Committee without discussion (for example, if more information is needed). In such cases, speakers will not be allowed to address the Committee but will be invited to speak when the application is discussed at a future meeting.
If an application is deferred after someone has spoken (for example, to allow a site visit), speakers will not be allowed to speak again unless the application has been materially altered. Speakers will be notified in writing of the Committee’s decision.
General planning questions for the Committee
The Committee has a public question time for general planning issues and procedures. Questions cannot relate to specific planning applications or enforcement matters — these should be directed to the Council’s Planning Officers.
Questions must be submitted in writing no later than 12 noon, two days before the meeting (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays) to:
The Chair, or another person nominated by the Chair, will read out the question at the meeting.
Questions can only be submitted by people who live in or own a business within the Borough. The notice must include the questioner’s name and full postal address.
Any Committee Member may speak on a question. The Chair will give a verbal response at the meeting, which will also be confirmed in writing within five working days.
Observing the Committee
The public gallery in the Council Chamber seats up to 18 members of the public, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
This number does not include registered speakers.
We will invite observers into the Council Chamber for the specific application they are interested in.
If the chamber reaches capacity, the meeting will be live-streamed in a nearby meeting room.
After each application has been considered, observers will be asked to leave the chamber so that the next group can enter.