Petitions about planning applications
A planning petition allows residents to support or object to a planning application. If we receive a valid petition, we will:
- ensure it is considered as part of the planning process
- notify the relevant planning officer
- inform local ward councillors
- contact the lead petitioner if there is an opportunity to speak at a Planning Committee.
All valid petitions will be considered before a decision is made.
Planning petition arrangements changes
National planning reforms due to come into effect on Saturday 31 October will change how planning applications are determined and may affect whether a valid planning petition gives residents the opportunity to speak at a Planning Committee meeting.
Until Saturday 31 October, there will be no changes to the current petition or speaking arrangements. Planning petitions relating to live planning applications will continue to require 20 signatures from Hillingdon residents.
Further information on these changes and their impact on planning petitions will be published before they take effect.
Which planning applications can be petitioned?
Petitions can be accepted on:
- full planning applications, including householder applications
- outline applications and reserved matters
- Section 73 applications
- permission in principle and technical details consent applications
Applications where petitions are not accepted
Petitions cannot be accepted on:
- prior approval applications
- tree works applications
- non-material amendments
- discharge of conditions applications
- listed building consent applications
- advertisement consent applications
- certificates of lawfulness
- applications under the High Speed 2 Act
If a petition is submitted on 1 of these application types, it will be placed on the planning file and considered by planning officers where relevant, but it will not be treated as a planning petition enabling speaking rights at a Planning Committee.
How many signatures do I need?
For planning petitions submitted before Saturday 31 October 2026, a minimum of 20 signatures from Hillingdon residents is required.
From Saturday 31 October 2026, a minimum of 50 signatures from Hillingdon residents will be required.
To be valid, a petition must:
- clearly identify the planning application number
- state whether it supports or objects to the proposal
- include a Lead Petitioner who lives in Hillingdon
- be signed by Hillingdon residents.
What happens after I submit a petition?
We will acknowledge receipt of your petition and explain the next steps.
Planning officers will consider the petition alongside all other comments and representations received before a decision is made on the application. The lead petitioner will be kept informed of the outcome.
Can I speak at Planning Committee?
If a planning application is considered by the Planning Committee and speaking rights apply, the lead petitioner will be contacted and invited to address the committee. If you cannot attend, you can nominate a representative or submit a written statement instead.
In most cases, speaking rights apply where the planning officer's recommendation differs from the outcome sought by the petition.
Where an application is decided by officers, there is no committee meeting and therefore no opportunity to speak, although any valid petition will still be considered before a decision is made.
Speaking at a Planning Committee
If speaking rights apply, the lead petitioner will be invited to address the Planning Committee. If you are unable to attend, you can nominate a representative to speak on your behalf or submit a written statement.
You can also provide supporting photographs, videos and documents. These must be submitted at least 48 hours before the meeting. For more information about what can be submitted, view our Petition Scheme.