What Is “Weight” in Planning?

In planning law, “weight” refers to the influence or importance a decision-maker (officer or committee) gives to:

  • Policies
  • Material considerations
  • Consultation responses

Key Types of Weight

1. Statutory Consultees

  • Their views are a material consideration.
  • Objections by statutory consultees (like the Environment Agency, Highways, or Natural England) carry substantial weight.
  • Case law (e.g., Bushell v Secretary of State for the Environment [1981]) confirms that technical expert opinions are critical, and if dismissed, the reasoning must be robust and well-documented.
  • A planning authority must not ignore a statutory consultee’s objection unless it has strong, evidence-based reasons.

2. Non-Statutory Consultees and Public Comments

  • These can carry moderate to limited weight, depending on:
    • Whether they raise material planning issues.
    • Whether they are substantiated by evidence.
    • Whether they reflect local policy or are merely opinion-based.
  • Volume of objections does not automatically equate to greater weight unless it reflects material planning harm.