How we process a planning application

You can submit an application either personally as the applicant or appoint an agent to act on your behalf. If you use an agent, we will deal with your agent throughout the application procedure.

We use the words "you" or "your" to mean

• An agent appointed to act on the applicant's behalf
  
• The applicant, where no agent is appointed

In cases where an agent is used we will be happy to let the applicant know the progress of an application, but we must deal direct with the agent in any discussions and requests for information or amendments to plans.

Once we have validated your application (see "Making a planning application" or "Making a householder planning application") we will write to you and acknowledge receipt. We will do this within three days of receipt of a valid application. Your application will be validated from the date from the date we received it or, in the case of applications that were not fully complete when received, from the date that we received the requested information.

Your application will be dealt with in accordance with the Area Planning Group’s Service Charter in South Tyneside.

• The Planning Register and Publicity for Planning Applications
  
• Dealing with applications
  
• Making the decision
  
• What to do if you are not satisfied with the service you have received