Planning proposals and how to find them

As a planner, just out of “interest”, I have occasion from time to time to check what exciting things are going on in Trafford – chiefly around the Stretford Area where I live, though not exclusively.  There are of course planning applications coming in all the time for all kinds of developments from house extensions to major proposals.  As local residents we have the right to comment on these proposals and really should exercise that right when we feel strongly about something.  The issue is, of course, that we only get notified officially of those applications in our immediate vicinity (sometimes only the neighbouring houses etc), and so the question is “how do we find out about other important proposals?”

One way is to check the Trafford Council website regularly.  Trafford Council – Planning – Search and track planning applications, should take you to a “simple search” facility, where you can put in an application number if you know it, or just a postcode or line of address if you don’t.  You’ll then either get the application up (if you used the application number) or a list of possible applications (if you used the postcode or address).  Once into the application you want you can get access to all the documents associated with it.  If you just want to find out what’s been happening recently in your area, instead of using “simple search”, you can choose “advanced” instead and that will give you a new page that lets you choose applications by ‘Ward’ and ‘dates between’ etc.

If ever you have a spare moment just do a quick check.  Its always best to give yourself a chance of finding out what’s happening locally, than to miss out of planning applications until its too late to comment on the proposals.  If you find something of interest and you’re not sure what’s happening, or need help to follow some of the more long-winded documents, you can always contact me – I do like a good laugh!!  No seriously, I’ll help if I can.