How to have your say on Planning

As councillors we are often contacted by local residents who want to object to a planning applications.

This is a short guide and steps that you might want to take. For complete information, please see the council website.

Planning Committee members will want to keep an open mind on applications and therefore it is advised that you don't contact them before the meeting. 

There is strict guidance for making decisions and they can only be based on:

• National Planning policy, London Plan 2008, set out by the Greater London Authority
• 'Saved' Hackney Unitary Development policies
• Council's policies outlined in the Hackney's emerging Local Development Framework
• Other 'material considerations' such as the planning history of a site and other development nearby the site

If you want to speak either for or against a particular planning application, can write to the council within 21 days of being notified of the application so your representations can be included in the planning agenda.  Include:

• The details of how the development will impact you and your community
• Why you support or object to a planning application

Plan to arrive at the meeting at least 15 minutes before the start as the agenda can sometimes change.
If you have made written representations, you can also register to speak at the meeting.  Contact the committee officer on 020 8356 3338 or email by 4pm on the working day before the meeting.

If you register to speak, you will be given 5 minutes to get your points across.  If there are other residents who also want to make the same or similar points to you, you will need to divide the five minutes between you or nominate a spokesperson.

Meetings of the Planning Sub-Committee are held in public at Hackney Town Hall. 


Within De Beauvoir Town, The Kingsland Conservation Area Advisory Committee monitors and comments on applications and may be able to advise on how best to approach any comment or objection you'd like to make. Their contact details are on their website along with various other information.

You can find further information on how to have your say at a planning sub-committee here, here and here.