Planning Applications and the Role of Dymchurch Parish Council

Dymchurch Parish Council is a statutory consultee in the planning process, but it is not the local planning authority. Planning applications affecting the Parish are decided by Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC), which is responsible for assessing applications against national planning policy and its own Local Plan, and for issuing the final decision.

When a planning application is submitted for a site within the Parish, FHDC notifies Dymchurch Parish Council and invites it to comment. The Parish Council reviews each application and submits a formal response — supporting, objecting, or raising specific observations — based on matters such as local amenity, character, highway safety, and the views of residents. These comments form part of the evidence FHDC considers, alongside other consultee responses and public representations, before reaching a decision.

It's important to note that the Parish Council's comments are advisory rather than binding. FHDC, as the Local Planning Authority, is not obliged to follow the Parish Council's recommendation, and the final decision on any application rests with FHDC's planning officers or, in some cases, its Planning and Environment Committee.

To help residents stay informed, a record of the planning applications considered by Dymchurch Parish Council, along with the Council's responses, can be found here: Planning Log Master.xlsm or click the image

If you wish to view the application documents themselves, track their progress, or submit your own comments directly, these can be found on FHDC's planning portal.