The Council and Planning Applications

Dedham Parish Council Involvement

The Planning Services section of Colchester Borough Council (CBC) provide Dedham Parish Council  with details of all relevant Planning Applications received, thereby giving parishioners an opportunity to express an opinion on proposed developments.  When reviewing Applications the Dedham Planning Sub-Committee take into account any written comments received from parishioners, and give regard to the impact of the proposal on:

• the unique character of the village;

• the delicate balances within the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty;

• local conservation considerations, and; 

• Colchester's current Development Plan policies.

Generally, the Parish Council's view as principal consultee will take the form of a brief statement to CBC that:

• there is no objection to the application, or;

• there are concerns that should be addressed before the application is approved, or;

• the proposal is unacceptable, together with the policy reasons for adopting this view.

It must be remembered that CBC are the ultimate arbiter in planning matters, and Dedham Parish Council are merely responsible for considering policies and summarising local opinion.  There have been occasions in the past when the views of the Parish Council have been overridden by CBC.

Details of Planning Applications

Immediate neighbours are generally informed by CBC in writing whenever a planning application is received, and appropriate notices are displayed near the site in question.  Additionally, details are posted in the local press and are also displayed on the CBC website (click here).

Commenting on Planning Applications

If a parishioner wishes to comment on a proposed development they are advised to:

• write to Planning, Protection and Licensing, PO Box 889, Town Hall, Colchester CO1 1FL quoting the relevant Application number, and;

• copy this letter to The Chairman of the Dedham Parish Council Planning Sub-Committee (currently Cllr. Robert Cannon, 41 Dedham Meade, Dedham, Colchester CO7 6EU)

• those who feel deeply aggrieved by a particular proposal may make a verbal presentation to the Parish Council (maximum duration three minutes) at the next monthly meeting, and also have the right to address the CBC Planning Committee (maximum duration three minutes, prior notification to CBC essential).

Parishioners should remember that the planning process necessarily conforms to a strictly defined schedule, and it is essential that they comply with the deadlines that this imposes.

View a pdf version of the Village Design Statement
                              (large file, not recommended for dial-up line users)