HOW TO FILE AN OBJECTION ONLINE (OR NOT!)
AUGUST 2010

It's all changed folks and not for the better - as far as the average council tax payer is concerned. Rather than debate the merits/demerits of it, the upshot is that you can't do this on the Council Website any longer.

What you need to know are the steps to follow to view a planning application online. These are now:

(1) Access the GBC website: www.guildford.gov.uk

(2) Click on "Environment and Planning"

(3) At next screen, click on Planning"

(4) At next screen, click on "Application Search & View Planning Applications"

(5) At next screen, look on right hand side and just below "Offsite Links", click on "Planning Application Search"

(6) This opens up a "Search Page" - to find the Planning Application you want, either enter its reference number in Box 1 (e.g. 07/P/09999) or enter its address in Box 3 (e.g. 2 Dam Close, GU3 3ZX). Click on "Search"

(7) This opens up the page dealing with that particular Planning Application. Click on the underlined Application Number and There are 3 Page Options - Consultation, Documents & Details - here you can view the Plans, see who's been consulted, view previous comments.

(8) THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NEW & THE OLD PROCESS BELOW is that you cannot file your comment/object directly on to the website  so the best you can do is now to send an e-mail to: planningenquiries@guildford.gov.uk

(9) Make sure you have quoted the address fo the application and its reference number in the messsage/subject bar of your e-mail.

(10) Unlike the old system, you won't get an automated acknowledgement. The Planning Dept say they will send you one within 10 days but it's probably quicker to see if your comment/objection has appeared on the Website.

The Offline Process is below - and it's unaltered - and is really now the same process as above.
 
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(The section below is now retained for reference purposes)

HOW TO FILE AN ON-LINE OBJECTION TO A PLANNING APPLICATION
It is quite a simple process and when you've done it once, it gets easier!
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Make sure you've got the Planning Application reference number and its full address to hand.
NEXT
Log on to the Council website: www.guildford.gov.uk
WHAT TO DO NEXT
1. Depending on your computer set-up you will either have an  A-Z menu listing on the left of the screen, or a set of A-Z boxes top right - possibly both!
Find & click on Planning & Building Control (left hand menu) or click on Box "P" (top right) & then click on Planning & Building Control
2. This takes you a Planning Menu Page. Find the box headed "Planning Development", click on "Online Search"
3. This opens up a "Search Page" - to find the Planning Application you want, either enter its reference number in Box 1 (e.g. 07/P/09999) or enter its address in Box 3 (e.g. 2 Dam Close, GU3 3ZX). Click on "Search"
4. This opens up the page dealing with that particular Planning Application. Click on the underlined Application Number and There are 3 Page Options - Consultation, Documents & Details - here you can view the Plans, see who's been consulted, view previous comments and make your comment/objection
5. To comment or object, click on "Consultation" & scroll down to the blue underlined Comment on this Application line. Click on this & you're online & ready to write.
6. To finish , click on "Submit" and you will get a Referenced Numbered acknowledgement. And in anyhting ranging form 2 to 10 days, your objection will appear.
TIPS
• I've often found it pays to see what other people have said first - "View Comments" just to get a feel for the essential points.
• It also pays to compose your comments in a Word or Text Document on your Computer's Desktop - so you can simply cut & paste it into the Webpage Comments box. This saves a lot of time (and locker room language) if the Council website locks up or crashes - which it does occasionally. That way you won't lose all your hard work and can easily start again.
• PLEASE state that you wish to OBJECT at the beginning of your comments. This makes life easier for the GBC Planning Staff.
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HOW TO FILE AN OFF-LINE OBJECTION TO A PLANNING APPLICATION

Compose an e-mail with the Application Reference Number and address in the Message Bar and send it to: planningenquiries@guildford.gov.uk