The council
Planning Links
Planning applications are managed by Dumfries & Galloway Council but the community council strives to ensure local people are sighted on the applications that are relevant to their area. Here is where to access the information you might be interested in and we’ll show you how to have your own say.
Where to look things up
Responsibility for planning sits with Dumfries and Galloway Council, but the community council is consulted. Here are some links that you might find useful –
The council
Search and comment on planning applications in the area, and find building standards and enforcement.
ePlanning Scotland
The national portal for submitting a planning application or a building warrant anywhere in Scotland.
Planning Aid Scotland
A charity offering free, independent advice to communities and individuals on the planning system.
How we handle applications
Community councils are consulted on planning applications in their area and applications are often highlighted and discussed at the public meetings. The community council has a duty to represent all residents in the area and consequently it must strive to remain impartial, neutral and unbiased when it comes to planning applications, Unless the impact is deemed to be particularly widespread and detrimental across the community, the community council will signpost people to links where personal observations or objections can be made.
The community council may also support people with advice and guidance or by making representations on their behalf if they feel they have been dealt with unfairly or if they feel the regional council’s processes have not been followed appropriately in a particular case.
The community council’s Planning Applications Policy can be found under the Documents tab of this website.
Having your own say
Anyone can comment on a planning application, and an individual comment carries weight in its own right. Two things worth knowing:
- comments go to Dumfries and Galloway Council directly, through the planning pages linked above, and there is a deadline for each application
- planning comments are published, so what you write becomes part of the public record
If an application worries you and you would like it raised at the next meeting as well, tell us and we will put it on the agenda.