Urgent Planning Applications Policy

Millom Town Council Urgent Planning Applications Policy

Adopted: 28 January 2026

Review Date: January 2027

1. Our Role in Planning

Millom Town Council does not have the power to determine planning applications. Decisions are made by the Cumberland Local Planning Authority.

The Cumberland Planning Authority must seek the views of the council on most applications before making decisions.

Millom Town Council will normally decide its response at a formal council meeting, except in rare urgent circumstances defined in this policy.

Scope of This Policy

This policy applies only where planning applications are urgent due to timing.

Urgent circumstances occur when:

1. The council is notified of an application and there is no council meeting before the statutory determination date
2. The council is notified of an application and the agenda for the only meeting before the statutory determination date has already been published

The statutory determination date is the deadline by which Cumberland Authority must decide the application. Failure to do so allows the applicant to appeal to the Secretary of State.

2. Case 1: No Meeting Before the Statutory Date

Power is delegated to the Clerk to respond on behalf of the council.

The Clerk must make reasonable efforts to seek the views of all councillors and develop a response acceptable to them.

3. Case 2: Agenda Already Published

The council’s response will be decided at the meeting.

The agenda will list all known applications prior to publication and will clearly state that urgent applications received after publication but before the meeting will also be considered.

The council will make reasonable efforts to notify the public of urgent applications considered but not listed on the agenda.

Signed: Chair

Date: 28 January 2026