A hearing is usually heard at the Council chambers. Most Councils and Commissioners attempt to make the hearing experience as informal as possible, however a typical process will be adhered to. The hearing usually goes as follows:

• The Chairperson or Commissioner will begin with the introductions of the Council staff and committee members followed by the submitters.

• The Chairperson or Commissioner will give a brief run down of the proceedings.

• The Planner for the Council will outline the proposal and the findings in their planning report. The planning report will have been forwarded to the submitters at least a week before the hearing.

• The applicant's agent and their experts will present their proposal. All evidence is in written form with copies given to everyone in attendance. The Council or Commissioner will ask questions after the evidence has been read.

• Often for a hearing the submitters will be given a time slot in which to present their submissions. All evidence is in written form with copies given to everyone in attendance. The Council or Commissioner will ask questions after the evidence has been read.

• The Councils experts will sum up their recommendations after hearing all the evidence.

• The Commissioner then adjourns the proceedings reserving their judgement in order to consider the proposal behind closed doors.

After the hearing a written decision will be prepared and released and all of the submitters will be advised. Once the decision is received, there are 15 working days in which to appeal a decision. If someone else appeals the decision, any submitter can request to be party to the appeal.