Commenting on a planning application is a relatively simple process. If you’ve ever written a product review online, then you can certainly do this!
We’ve shown a simple six step process here for first Finding, and then Commenting on a planning application. Normally, if we give you a link to comment on a planning application in one of the website articles, then that link will take you straight to Step 5.
If you just want to see what planning applications there are in the Havant Borough Council area, the first place to go is the Planning Public Access page. Click that link and the following page will open in a new browser tab.
Note, the images shown below are a from a Windows PC, the appearance on a phone will be different but the content will be the same. It is actually much easier to work on this from a PC /Laptop screen if you can
Step 1
Enter your search text in the box next to the green Search button and when you’ve entered the details, press the button. In this example, we’ve entered ‘Market Parade’.
Note, if you already know the Planning Application Reference Number, which will be something like APP/21/0001, then enter that number as your search.
Step 2
You’ll now see a list of planning applications in date order, newest at the top. Find the one you’re interested in and click the blue link text.
Step 3
The next screen shows the summary of the planning application that you’ve selected.
Note that there are a set of ‘tabs’, starting with ‘Details‘ and followed by ‘Comments’, ‘Documents’ and ‘Related Cases’. In the image below, we’ve highlighted the ‘Documents‘ tab and the ‘Make a Comment‘ button.
The Details tab gives a summary of the application, and also allows you to see ‘Further information‘, ‘Contacts‘ and ‘Important Dates‘.
The screen that we’ll show next is the one you’ll see when you select the ‘Documents‘ tab. (Note the count showing how many documents there are).
Note If the application is straightforward, perhaps for a conservatory or to cut down a tree, then there will be just a couple of documents, whereas if the application is for a new housing estate there could easily be 50+ documents covering all aspects of the works.
Step 4
The Documents page will show you a list of the documents associated with the planning application, the most recent being shown first.
Note that on the right hand side of this image, you will see small icons against each document, circled in red in this example. Click those icons to open and read the documents, which will each open in a separate browser tab.
Note This part much easier on a PC than on a phone!
Once you’ve read the documents that interest you and have decided you want to make a comment, then find the ‘Make a Comment button at the top of the page and press it!
Step 5 – Making a Comment
In this example, we show the screen that will appear when you press the ‘Make a Comment’ button on an application. Please note that you do not have to register with the council to see these and comment, but you will have to give a valid name, address, postcode and email address.
When you select the ‘Commenter’ type drop down, pick ‘Complainant‘ – the selections are not exactly clear!
The other important selection to make, highlighted above in red, is your ‘Stance’ on the application, whether you Object, Support or are ‘Neutral’.
Once you’ve done that, you can write your comments in the big box underneath.
Note that you have a limit of 5000 words and you also have a time limit of 30 minutes. You may find it easier to write your comments in a text editor first, then simply cut and paste them into this box.
Step 6
When you’ve finished filling in your comments, simply press the green Submit button. You do not have to register with the Council if you do not wish to.
Final note, Just like product reviews, there is some checking the Council does before your comment is published, so it may take a couple of days before your comment appears. You will be able to see the comment you have made and comments made by other people.
Havant Civic Society 
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