The local planning authority is Dover District Council which, for the majority of planning applications, decides whether permission is granted or refused. The District Council's website provides a lot of information on planning, including lists and details of the applications it has received with each applicant's paperwork and architect's drawings on line. And, for those who wish to comment to the Council's planners, there's an on-line response form. It is, of course, also possible to send a letter.

Walmer Parish Council also considers local planning applications and makes its views known to Dover District Council. The parish council's Planning Committee usually meets twice a month. Local residents can attend and are normally allowed to speak on any application about which they have an interest or concern.

Understandably, most people are concerned when there is a planning application for a scheme near to their own property. It's important to remember that everyone has the "right" to submit an application. And everyone has a "right" to comment on it.

Finding out that there is a new planning application relies on people being observant. Dover District Council does not notify neighbours directly. It does, however, place a small notice in the street close to the property where development is proposed and publish lists of all applications on its website. Details of some - but not all - applications are published as public notices in the local East Kent Mercury newspaper. Although not legally obliged to, Walmer Parish Council does try to alert immediate neighbours. And some residents may, of course, warn other neighbours!

Occasionally people ask if we'll include their particular concerns about a new planning application on WalmerWeb. Sadly there isn't an area on the website where we can do this and we really don't have the resources to present a balanced report on individual applications on our local news page. There is, however, the "Walmer Kent" Facebook page. This provides one possible way for people to share their concerns and for others to respond and put their point of view.