Advice on how to object to a housing development

LTA

Hi,

I am looking for some advice on how to object to a planning application. It is for approximately 100 houses that will be built next to an existing cul de sac.

The houses will take up what has been open fields for 40 years. A couple of other previous applications have been turned down but this was quite a few years ago.

There will be a row of hedges that will remain and divide the estates but the new houses will be about 20-30 metres away from the existing houses. Parts of the hedges will be removed to allow 2 entrances (about 6 metres wide) to be built and the new estate will be accessed through the cul de sac.

The main concern of the residents is the houses that will be directly opposite the new development and more importantly the amount of traffic that will be directed through the cul de sac.

The plans haven't been put to the council yet but it would be good to be ahead of the game.

Could I get some advice on a letter template or what to or what not to include. I want to write an effective letter that has valid points in it. Am I correct in thinking that you can't mention loss in house value or ask for financial compensation?

Thanks for your advice in advance!

TonyMMM

You need to look at the planning guidelines for your area , probably available on the planning section of your council website and make sure that your objections are directly related to those. Concentrate on facts, not emotion (can be difficult) - look at things like housing density, green belt land ?.

ormus

find some newts on the fields.
(or put some in there).

LTA

Yep I've managed to find that, I'm just trawling through it now! What are the best things to look for? Is the fact that they're chopping down 12 metres of hedges worth mentioning. Also it looks like we could say something on the basis of increased amounts of traffic. Is that the right kind of things?

TonyMMM

You really want to find specific policies in the Local Plan that the proposed development is in breach of - these can be all sorts of things but there is no easy answer. You can then structure an objection letter based around each of the identified issues.

musicmaker29

unfortunately, you will struggle to ask for compensation and won't be able to object based on loss of house value.

I would sit down and think about how exactly this development will affect YOU, and then put those points in an objection sticking to planning matters (i.e. not house value or loss of view etc. as these are not planning matters).

If you are concerned that the road cannott handle to traffic, put it down, if the properties are close enough to you to have an overbearing impact than put that down.

The worst thing that you could do is put together an emotional rant, but Im sure that, as you sound like a reasonable person, you will be able to put together a reaosnable and articulate objection without sounding like a nutter (ive read some funny ones before).

trying looking at the planning portal website or CABE - your local council will also give you advice on what grounds are acceptable to object on and what will be ignored outright.

LTA

Perfect thank you. I've just started drafting a letter and it sounds like I'm on the right lines then!

sophieschoice

LTA wrote: »

Hi,

I am looking for some advice on how to object to a planning application. It is for approximately 100 houses that will be built next to an existing cul de sac.

The houses will take up what has been open fields for 40 years.

Does the council own the land? If so, there will be a Business Development Department in the council so find out who's in charge and speak to them.
Secondly, get your local Councillor on board.
Third, get a petition up and send it to your MP.
Make sure you get contact details of all the people you come across (not necessarily neighbours) who use the field. At some time in the future you may need handwritten letters from them to support your objection.
Contact the Playing Fields Association.
Scour your Council's website for Open Field policies.
Most councils will usually only allow open fields to be developed for sports facilities.
Start a Facebook site for people to register their opposition.
Finally, try to get Town Green status for the field which will delay matters considerably.
Good luck!

LTA

yes it's a council owned green belt site i believe.

I've contacted the local MP so I'll have a look through the rest now...thanks everyone

edgex

LTA wrote: »

yes it's a council owned green belt site i believe.

I've contacted the local MP so I'll have a look through the rest now...thanks everyone

check out whether it is a 'green belt' site
if it is, they arnt supposed to build on them


youve then got:
loss of hedges / trees - loss of natural habitat for wildlife
affects on drainage of the area, as it will end up covered in concrete & tarmac
increased traffic, not just on the cul-de-sac, but also its junction with the next road, increase of traffic on that road etc
are there any public footpaths on the site

LTA

Sorry it says 'greenfield' on the proposal I've found. Not the same is it?

OK put down the hedges as a reason, it's got that in the council development plan document. Thanks for that!

Only footpaths round the cul de sac.

Not sure how I'd approach drainage issue?

The traffic would end up with more people coming onto and off a major A road.