Committee vs Delegated Analysis

Understand which applications go to planning committee and which are decided under delegated powers. Real data patterns that help you prepare for the right determination route.

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Approval rate is calculated on the 84,760 determined applications (granted or refused). The remaining 6,392 are withdrawn, advice-only, or have no recorded grant/refusal outcome — so 72,223 + 12,537 + 6,392 = 91,152.

National Context: Committee vs Delegated

Detailed committee/delegated route data is not yet available for this authority. Nationally, the typical pattern is:

~95% of applications are decided under delegated powers by planning officers
~5% go to planning committee — typically major developments, controversial schemes, or councillor call-ins
Committee approval rates are generally lower than delegated (typically 70-80% vs 90%+)
Committee decisions take longer — often 10-13 weeks vs 8 weeks for delegated

Decision Outcomes by Application Type

Application Type	Total	Approved	Refused	Other	Approval Rate
Full	24,577	19,875	3,680	1,022	84.4%
Trees	11,984	10,496	1,292	196	89%
Outline	8,908	7,169	1,410	329	83.6%
Conditions	6,128	5,333	620	175	89.6%
Amendment	3,949	3,157	635	157	83.3%
Householder planning permission	3,825	3,222	480	123	87%
Full planning permission	3,592	2,440	818	334	74.9%
Approval of details reserved by a condition (discharge)	3,050	2,579	213	258	92.4%
Heritage	2,268	1,938	199	131	90.7%
Lawful development: Proposed use	2,104	1,655	286	163	85.3%
	2,046	1,637	179	230	90.1%
All Other	1,726	1,174	144	408	89.1%
Tree works: Trees in conservation areas/subject to TPOs	1,586	848	110	628	88.5%
Advertising	1,505	1,238	231	36	84.3%
Other	809	680	103	26	86.8%
Prior Approval: Larger Home Extension	792	377	171	244	68.8%
Non-material Amendment	732	615	73	44	89.4%
Telecoms	670	438	92	140	82.6%
Listed building consent	612	528	47	37	91.8%
Consent to display an advertisement	531	435	72	24	85.8%

Understanding Committee vs Delegated

What is Delegated Decision?

Under the Scheme of Delegation, planning officers are authorised to determine most applications without going to committee. This is the faster route — typically 8 weeks for minor/householder applications. Around 95% of applications nationally are decided this way.

What Triggers Committee?

Major applications (varies by LPA threshold)
Ward member call-in request
High volume of public objections
Departure from the development plan
Officer recommendation of refusal on major schemes
Council's own development (conflict of interest)

How to Prepare for Committee

Request to speak at committee (5 min usually allowed)
Prepare visual aids — site photos, CGIs, drawings
Brief supportive ward members in advance
Address all objection themes explicitly
Focus on material planning considerations
Keep presentations concise and policy-grounded

Committee vs Delegated: Impact on Outcome

Committee decisions are statistically more likely to refuse than delegated decisions. However, a committee recommendation for approval can carry greater weight in any subsequent appeal, as it demonstrates elected member support for the proposal.