information on this page is available as a downloadable leaflet.

If you want to speak at a public meeting you should read the notes below or the leaflet above and complete a Form to apply to speak at a public meeting by the appropriate deadline.

 Let us know which meeting you want to address - these are the options:

 The National Park Authority meeting (NPA): to raise issues relating to items on the NPA agenda published on the website. The NPA is usually held every two months. To speak you need to send a completed form to be received by 10.00am on the Tuesday before the meeting - send it to:  publicspeaking@breconbeacons.org

or contact the Committee Clerk:
Julia Gruffydd on 01874 620400
or Angharad Hawkes on 01874 620438.

The Planning, Access and Rights of Way Committee (PAROW): to raise issues about planning applications or access and rights of way issues on the agenda published on the website. PAROW is usually held on a Tuesday once every 6 weeks.  To speak on a planning, access or rights of way matter you need to send a completed form to be received by 10.00am on the Friday before the meeting to: publicspeaking@breconbeacons.org 
or contact the Committee Clerks: 

for Planning matters
Jane Pashley on 01874 620414
or Danielle French on 01874 624437

for Access and Rights of way matters:
Julia Gruffydd on 01874 620400
or Angharad Hawkes on 01874 620438.

An alternative contact number if the officers above are not available is the Planning Helpdesk on 01874 620431.

The Audit and Scrutiny Committee (ASC): to raise issues relating to items on the ASC agenda published on the website.  ASC is usually held six times a year.  To speak you need to send a completed form to be received by 10.00am on the Tuesday before the meeting, send the form to: publicspeaking@breconbeacons.org
or contact Julia Gruffydd on 01874 620400 or Angharad Hawkes on 01874 620438.

You should email the text of your comments before the meeting to  publicspeaking@breconbeacons.org  and this will be placed on the file as a matter of public record.  Alternatively you may submit a hard copy of your presentation to go on the file.  If you do not supply a copy of your text, then it will simply be recorded in the minutes whether you spoke for or against the application. 

Location of Meetings: Meetings are held at the Authority’s offices at Plas y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon, LD3 7HP and start 10.00am.

Parking and Access : Parking is available in the large car park beyond the offices, and disabled parking in the visitor parking by reception. Meetings are accessible by wheelchair users but please contact Reception on 01874 624437 if you have any special needs or concerns.  The Agenda is published on the website under Committee Timetable

Recording meetings: Please note you cannot use recording equipment at any Authority meeting although you are welcome to take notes if you wish.  The official minutes from each meeting will be available at the next meeting.  However, the Authority is now webcasting all its public meetings which can be viewed live or via an archive.  Please visit our webcasting pages.

The rules for PAROW are more complex, so the next section deals with this Committee:

Planning, Access and Rights of Way Committee - PAROW
This advice is for individuals, local community groups, interested groups and applicants.  We want to ensure that the views of all interested parties have been taken into account. Please note that in order to speak you must complete a form and return it to us by 10.00am on the Friday before the meeting you want to address.

Any member of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority may attend and speak in accordance with the Code of Conduct for members.  Should it be relevant, a member will declare an interest in a particular matter - this means they will not then speak nor vote on it in the meeting.

Public speaking only relates to planning applications and to any rights of way and access issues to be determined by members at the Committee

Are you concerned about a proposed development in the Park?
If you are concerned about a planning application you can see all the details for the development you are interested in, at the Planning section on the Brecon Beacons website - UK Planning Portal  or you can contact the Helpdesk on 01874 620431 who will explain how you can see the plans. 

If you wish to comment on an application you must first write to us during the 21 day consultation period, please make sure you send your comments within this time.   This will enable planning officers to fully consider all the issues when making a recommendation to PAROW.

Please note: Objections to a live application are considered as part of the planning process, any issues you raise are taken into account during the determination of the application. Your letter will be acknowledged but you will not receive a separate letter responding to these concerns.
 
Must I speak at the PAROW meeting to have my views heard?
Even if you cannot attend the meeting, the views you have sent in writing during the consultation period will be summarised for the committee and taken into consideration.  You may also attend any PAROW meeting as an observer.  You may find this interesting if you have not had any experience of planning before.

Are you the applicant?
Either you (as applicant) or the agent (but not both) should complete a form in order to have the opportunity to speak in support of your application particularly if you can clarify issues raised or to reply to an objector.  

Unfortunately we cannot delay the determination of an application because a speaker is unable to attend whatever the reason, but you can nominate someone else to speak for you.  Presentations should be verbal.  If you wish to provide any information you will need to supply 30 copies by 10.00am one working day in advance of the meeting for members and officers.  Information not supplied in this way may not be placed before the Committee.

When will the application I am interested in be considered?
Some applications take longer to process than others, so it is your responsibility to find out when the application is being considered.  Whether you are an applicant, objector or interested party you will need to keep in touch with the Planning Officer to find the date at which the application will be considered.  When you have been given a date, always ring the Committee Clerk (listed above) during the 5 working days before a meeting in case the application has been delayed or withdrawn from the agenda. 

When there is more than one member of the public for or against an application a spokesperson must be elected. However, all speakers representing the views of different organisations will be allowed to speak.

What happens at the meeting?
Applications will usually be considered in the order in which they are listed on the agenda.  This means it is not always possible to tell you when a particular application will be heard.  The meeting could take two or more hours.

Provision will be made for those who wish to address the meeting in Welsh, provided you let us know in advance using the form.    The meeting will however be conducted in English.

New Evidence, Deferrals and Site Visits
Most decisions will be made on the day.  Occasionally the members may defer a decision, usually to allow time to get further information or to visit the site or to negotiate improvements.

If any new evidence is brought to the Committee which could significantly influence a decision, the application may be deferred to a future meeting for officers/members to make a full assessment of the case.  Unfortunately, if you did not apply to speak at the original meeting you cannot apply to speak at the deferred committee date.

If you spoke at the original meeting you can only speak when the application is reconsidered at committee if any new issues arise.  The Committee’s minutes will not include a summary of your presentation, but as already described you should submit a copy of your presentation for the file.

Further information
If you have any questions please contact the relevant Committee Clerk  – clerks are listed at the beginning of this leaflet.

What to expect -the procedure for each application during PAROW:

Late correspondence

The Planning Officer will report any relevant correspondence received
↓
Introduction and Presentation, Assessment and Recommendation
The Planning Officer describes the proposal, the location of the site, outlines any responses from statutory objectors or supporters, gives the policy guidance and makes an overall assessment of the proposal with a recommendation.
↓
 Supporter(s)
You will need to share this time with other supporters if there is more than one member of the public speaking for the application and choose a spokesperson.  A total of 3 minutes is allocated, although the Chairman may agree to an extension.
↓
Objector(s)
You will need to share this time with other objectors if there is more than one member of the public speaking against the application and choose a spokesperson.  A total of 3 minutes is allocated, although the Chairman may agree to an extension.
↓
Applicant or Agent
A total of 3 minutes to reply to matters raised and/or to clarify
your case for the proposal.
↓
Planning Officer – may reply
↓
Members’ Discussion and Consideration of Decision
 Speakers will not be able to question other speakers, officers or members.  The Planning Officer will also respond to comments and answer Members’ questions where required.
↓
Then the Committee makes a decision.