View, comment and object to planning applications - FAQs

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How and where can I view planning application details?

You can view planning applications on our Public Access register.

We recommend that you view plan details online before you comment on an application.

How do I comment or object to an application?

Instructions:

  • You will need to register with the Council’s Public Access system to comment on or object to a planning application.
  • Once registered you will need to log in you will then be able to comment or object to a planning application by searching for the application and then using the 'Make a comment' button. You can access this service at home, in our main civic council office, or in any of our libraries.
  • Anyone can object, support or comment on a current planning application. The council is keen to give people who may be affected by a proposed development the opportunity to express their views. 
  • We recognise that neighbours who live in the vicinity of an application site may be aware of local conditions and problems that they may wish to highlight in the council’s consideration of the application. It is important to appreciate, however, that the council can only take into account matters which are relevant to the planning process.

Will my comment be made public?

Yes, your comment, name and address will be made public, but we will take steps to ensure personal phone numbers, personal emails and signatures are not viewable. If you find any applicants or objector telephone numbers, email addresses or signatures which have not been removed then please let us know and we will remove them as soon as possible.

What can I expect after my comment has been submitted and how can I follow the progress of an application?

If you submit your comment online you can track the application, and will receive email notifications during the planning process. Please remember that your comments, name and address will be made public.

If you were notified of the application or have submitted written comments we will let you know if the applicant appeals. We will let the Planning Inspectorate have copies of your letters.

What are the deadlines for making comments?

This is specified online, click the ‘important dates’ menu button, where it tells you the deadline for all parts of the process and even when the decision is due to be made.

What happens after the Council has made a decision?

You can look online or telephone (quoting the application reference number or address) to find out what the Council has decided.

Only the applicant has a right of appeal so it is important that you voice any concerns before a decision is taken by the Council.

However, if you consider that the Council's decision was flawed, for example, because inadequate consideration was given to a relevant factor, you may make a complaint. If you are not satisfied with the response having exhausted the Council's internal procedures you may take your complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman.

If you were notified of the application or have submitted written comments we will let you know if the applicant appeals. We will let the Planning Inspectorate have copies of your letters.

Once work is underway you should let us know if you believe that it has not been carried out in accordance with the approved plans. We will check the situation and tell you what we are able to do.

What are the limitations of this service?

  • planning history records are currently made available back to 1997. In some instances there may be a record of earlier planning history but this information is at present only partial and incomplete and should not therefore be relied upon.
  • all planning applications and documents received after the 11th November 2009 are available on the internet. Unfortunately documents for applications submitted before this date will only be partially available.
  • the online records should not be used as a substitute for carrying out a Land Charge Search. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate the Council takes no responsibility for any errors and/or omissions in the information obtained from 'Public Access for Planning'.
  • the information in Public Access for Planning does not constitute in any way a formal notification of a planning decision. Any actions taken as a result of information displayed on PublicAccess are undertaken entirely at the viewer's own risk.

What help is there if I am having trouble opening documents or using in Public Access for Planning?

You may need to allow pop-ups for our website or turn the pop-up blocker off in order to open the document/s you wish to view. Pop-up blockers on internet browsers can be disabled by adjusting the settings of the browser.

You may also need to install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to open all our documents. If you still are experiencing problems with the Public Access website after trying the above solutions you may need to install the latest version of your internet browser.

Further help and information:

Licensing agreement/terms and conditions

The Public Access website is owned and operated by Milton Keynes Council. Set out below are the terms and conditions which, together with any legal notices displayed elsewhere on PublicAccess, represent all the terms and conditions on which we will provide you with access to the datasets compiled and maintained by Milton Keynes Council (the "Authority Datasets") associated with the use of the National Land and Property Gazetteer and the National Street Gazetteer. Your continued use of PublicAccess indicates your acceptance to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, please cease using Public Access.

The terms and conditions for this licence agreement are as follows:

  1. The Authority datasets are associated with the use of the National Land and Property Gazetteer and the National Street Gazetteer. Information displayed throughout Public Access is extracted from a copyright work owned by the Local Government Information House Limited and Milton Keynes Council.
  2. A single screen print of the results of a search of the Authority datasets is permitted for your own use.
  3. You may not extract or re-utilise information derived from the Authority Datasets and/or any copies of such information (whether electronic or in hard copy format) for any commercial or business purpose including but not limited to, trading, building commercial databases, reselling or redistribution of such information.
  4. You are not permitted to modify, adapt, arrange, alter, adjust or make any additions to any information derived from the Authority Datasets, nor are you permitted to combine such information with other mapping, data or other information, including for the avoidance of doubt, other such information derived from Public Access.
  5. Save as permitted by paragraph 2 above, the reproduction, copying, downloading, storage, recording, broadcasting, retransmission, distribution, decompilation, reverse-engineering or disassembly of any part of Public Access is not permitted without our prior written consent.
  6. It is your responsibility to ensure that any information derived from the Authority Datasets is not made available, either in electronic unencrypted form or in hard copy format, to any third party that may attempt to use the map in contravention of these terms and conditions.
  7. You must inform us immediately if you become aware of a third party using information derived from the Authority Datasets in contravention of these terms and conditions or of any infringement of trade marks located on Public Access.
  8. We shall have no liability to any person or organisation in respect of any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of the information contained on Public Access.
  9. We take every reasonable effort to ensure that information contained on Public Access is as accurate as possible. However, the services featured on Public Access are provided "as is", and all warranties, conditions and other terms implied by statute or common law are, to the fullest extent permitted by law, excluded. We shall not be liable to you for any indirect or consequential loss (whether for loss of profit, loss of business, depletion of goodwill or otherwise), costs, expense or other claims for consequential compensation whatsoever (howsoever caused) which arise out of or in connection with your use of Public Access.

Does the information on Public Access for Planning comply with the Data Protection Act?

Milton Keynes Council seeks to comply with all statutory requirements including the Data Protection Act (2018) in all its transactions.

Are there any disclaimers?

Milton Keynes Council seeks to ensure that the information it publishes on its website is up to date and accurate. However, the information on the website does not constitute legal or professional advice and the Council cannot accept any liability for any loss arising in any way whatsoever out of the use of its site. The Council cannot be held responsible for the data policies, procedures or contents of any pages references by an external link from its site.

Please note: All comments/objections and representations will be available to view online. We take steps to ensure personal phone numbers, personal emails and signatures are not viewable. If you find any applicants or objector telephone numbers, email addresses or signatures which have not been removed then please let us know and we will endeavour to remove that information as soon as possible.

Does Copyright apply?

Plans, drawings and material submitted to the Council are protected by the Copyright Acts (Section 47, 1988 Act). You may only use material which is downloaded and/or printed for consultation purposes, to compare current applications with previous schemes and to check whether developments have been completed in accordance with approved plans. Further copies must not be made without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

The Council will not be liable if it unknowingly displays any material submitted in breach of copyright and will remove any such material once brought to the Council’s attention.

Can I give feedback about Public Access for Planning?

We would welcome your views on this service, how easy you find it to use, or how it might be developed in the future. If you have any comments to make, please e-mail us on our contact details.

Which Web Browser is it best to view Public Access for Planning in?

Public Access for Planning is best viewed using Internet Explorer. Certain parts of the site may not function correctly in other browsers.

Planning Enquiries

Planning Enquiries contact information

Civic, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ