How to request a call-in

If you have taken all the steps relating to controversial planning applications and the local authority is still clearly intending to grant permission

you should

• Contact your regional planning body and county council (if there is one in your area) to seek its support
• The district planning authority has a statutory duty to take into account the views of the county planning authority

• Contact the planning division of the Government office for your region by telephone and in writing as soon as possible to alert them to your concern

• Write to any statutory agencies or parish councils with a possible interest in the proposed development and/or site affected to enlist their support

• Contact your local MP to ask for his or her support

• Write to the secretary of state for planning at the Department for Communities and Local Government, requesting a call-in
• Copy your letter to the Government office for your region

• Organise a campaign to gather support

Build regional relationships
Just as it is to your advantage to cultivate a good relationship with planning officers at the local authority, you should try to do so with those working in the Government office for your region because they advise the secretary of state on whether an application should be called in.

CPRE's regional groups can help you with regional work you wish to do. They have many years of experience working regionally.