All the salient points are meant to be included in the written submissions, therefore the councillors are meant to be able to make an informed decision based on this. However, both the developer and the objectors get 5 minutes to summarise the case, and the officers get as long as they want to make their recommendation understood.

As well as a representative of objectors it is worth asking a local councillor to speak, they may ask for permission from the committee to speak and can speak for longer than allowed for objectors. Coordination with the councillor(s) can ensure the reasons for objection are heard loud and clear.

Another tactic is to encourage councillors on the planning committee to ask you questions, there is not a formal limit on the length of responses to questions. A sympathetic question from one of the committee members can help you make your case to other members. However, you should not try to influence committee members prior to the meeting.

Don't expect a decision by the date the decision is due. More complicated applications are likely to take longer, especially when the planning department has been cutting staff in an already stretched department. Given that we are entering December I would not expect this application to go before committee before the end of the year - but I could be wrong. The officer recommendation is likely to available just 7-10 days prior to the planning committee meeting. Don't expect more time than this to prepare for the committee.