Most planning applications are decided within eight weeks, unless they are unusually large or complex, in which case the time limit is extended to 13 weeks. If it has not done so, you can appeal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Find out more about the appeals process.
We issue a formal decision notice for every registered application, which clearly states whether permission is granted or refused.
About 85% of applications are approved and many are subject to conditions. All applicants have a right of appeal against a refusal or conditions imposed that they do not agree with. Notes on how to appeal any decision are included on the decision notice. There is no third party right of appeal. Unless otherwise stated, development can begin at any time within 3 years of the date of the permission although details set out in the conditions must be agreed beforehand.
Often other approvals, separate from the planning approval, are needed before work can start, e.g. restrictive covenants on a property or building regulations. If these approvals require significant changes to a scheme a new planning permission may be needed and therefore you are advised to contact the planning department before proceeding with the development.
Applications that are referred to the Development Control Committee will be determined by the Committee. You are welcome to attend this Committee and listen to the debate, or you can speak directly to the councillors who make the decisions on planning applications.
You can view the online Committee system to find out about the committee and individuals who represent you on it.
Dudley Council holds records relating to planning applications dating back to 1948, and building control records relating to 1974. Detailed records are available on computer for planning and building control applications from 1991 to the present day.
Where we hold records that relate to Planning and Building Control Applications
Please enter your postcode into Find my local on the right of the page to find details of the full planning history for a property, together with location maps.