Newark & Sherwood District Council is the planning authority for Southwell. The District Council invites the Town Council to comment on planning applications in the town in exactly the same way as it invites residents to comment on neighbouring developments. The Town Council has no additional power to influence planning decisions but it does make strong representations on behalf of residents for the benefit of the town as a whole.
The process for commenting on planning applications is as follows:-  The Town Council’s Planning committee, which all residents may attend,  meets on the first Wednesday of every month. An agenda is put on the Town Council’s notice board four days before each meeting and the plans can be viewed before the meetings or at www.nsdc.info/eplanning. The decisions of the committee on whether or not to support the applications are then sent to the District Council and also put on the Town Council website.
The Town Council must focus its comments on material planning considerations. These include the following: planning policies; effect on listed building and the conservation area; design, appearance and materials; highway safety; noise and disturbance resulting from use; nature conservation.
If you want to know more about the planning process either contact the District Council on 01636 650000 or telephone the Town Council offices and have a chat with the Clerk.