View and comment on planning applications

Use Public Access to view and comment on planning applications. Anyone can make a comment on a planning application. You do not need to register to look at or comment on an application.

If you do register then you will also be able to:

• track applications
• save your searches
• get email notifications about tracked applications and new search results

See our instructions on how to register and receive notifications below.

Public Access - Registration Issue: When registering or logging in - If you receive a message to say 'That email address cannot be used at this time...' Please use the 'Forgotten Password?' link from the Login page to reset your password as it's likely your email address is registered/you already have an account and your password is incorrect.

Commenting on a planning application

You can comment on planning applications and submit your comments online through Public Access.  

Comments received will be available for public inspection and displayed on our website normally within 48 hours of receipt.

Alternatively you can send a letter, quoting the application reference number, together with your full name and address, to: Head of Planning and Sustainable Communities, West Oxfordshire District Council, Elmfield, New Yatt Road, Witney OX28 1PB

When making comments you must provide your name and address, if you do not your comments will be considered anonymous and your views cannot be taken into account.

Your comments, name and address will be published on our website but your signature, email address and telephone number will be removed. Once the application has been determined, public access to the correspondence will be restricted in order to protect your privacy/data but it will be retained on the file and is still available to view by planning officers. The privacy notice has more information on how we use your personal data.

Comments should not contain remarks which might be regarded as offensive, personal or libellous. We do reserve the right to withhold from publication any comments not considered suitable for public view.

What you can comment on and what we cannot consider

You can support or object to a proposal, but you should bear in mind that planning applications can only be decided on the basis of planning issues, such as:

• the effect on neighbours' daylight, sunlight or privacy
• the impact of traffic, road access, highway safety, parking
• the appearance, bulk or height of the scheme
• the impact on amenity, such as noise generated by the proposal
• the potential loss of a valued local service or use, such as a shop
• the effect on wildlife, listed buildings, trees etc

We cannot consider issues such as:

• the effect on property values
• private issues between neighbours such as land covenants, land and boundary disputes
• competition between rival businesses
• party wall disputes and fire escape matters
• problems while construction works are being carried out, such as noise, dust and disturbance by construction vehicles
• loss of a private view

Petitions

If you decide to organise a petition, please make sure that there is a contact name and address for the person organising the petition - this is the only person we will correspond with.  Please note individuals appearing on the petition will not be recorded separately on our records or receive any correspondence. 

How to register and receive notifications on Public Access

Registering for Public Access allows you to make comments on applications, keep track of particular applications, and receive email notifications of when tracked applications are progressed.

Advanced guide to using Public Access - pdf - 967 Kb

How to register on Public Access

You can register for Public Access by following our simple step-by-step guide below:

• Step 1: Go to Public Access
• Step 2: Select the 'Register' button from the navigation bar
• Step 3: Enter your details and follow the registration instructions.
• Step 5: We will send you an email to confirm/activate your account
• Step 6: Once activated, select the 'Login' button 
• Step 7: Enter your login details
• You are now logged in and can comment and keep track of applications.

How to receive notifications on Public Access

You can receive notifications from Public Access by following the steps below:

• Step 1: Go to Public Access
• Step 2: Enter your login details (if you haven't already registered, see steps above).
• Step 3: Search for current applications you would like to receive notifications for.  
• Step 4: Select the 'Track' button above the Application Summary
• You will now be notified via email when the tracked application has any status changes.
• Step 5: You can also use the Map search to zoom in, view and use the tools to save a search area to be notified on.

Related Pages

• Planning appeals
• Report a breach of planning regulations