The Town Planning Division is responsible for assessing planning applications to help regulate the development and use of land in the public interest.

If you are thinking about development, small or large, the Council provides a range of detailed guidance leaflets. You can request these online, or get them at the Civic Centre.

Staff in the Development Control Section will always be prepared to assist on procedures and policies. Ideally you should make a prior appointment or a written request. Please remember that all information and advice is given in an effort to be helpful, but must be without prejudice to any formal decision on the application.

How are applications considered?

The Borough is divided into three areas covered by their own Development Control teams. West Area covers Cobham, Oatlands Park, St. Georges Hill, Brooklands and Weybridge.

Decisions about simple planning applications are made on the basis of planning officer recommendation. Officers are skilled at considering how an application meets the criteria set out in planning policies and law. More complex or controversial applications may be considered in detail by the Area Planning Sub-committee, or even the full Planning Committee or finally the full Council.

Any Councillor can ask for any application in their Ward to be promoted to Sub-Committee.  Cllr Tim Crowther sits on the West Area Planning Sub-committee.

What if I want to object?

You can find details of all planning applications online at the Elmbridge BC website. Any resident can submit a comment (in objection or support) online, via email or by letter. See the side panel for the address. Note that only certain grounds for objection can be considered in coming to a decision -- things which are set out in the planning policies.

If objections are received from ten or more households (or a petition with 50+ signatures), one of the signatories has a right to public speaking.

The process explained

You can find a summary of the development control procedures and practices followed by Elmbridge Borough Council in the Development Control Service Charter . This sets out how applications are dealt with, and how residents can comment on planning applications.