planning refused - but somethings not right!!

little_chick

I could really do with some help!

We created sketched for our council regarding a loft conversation and extension to our semi detached bungalow, which they said should be fine and advised to have drawings created and submit, we did this then 1 day before decision they said they would be refused, so we withdrew. After discussions we amended and resubmitted. They refused the plans. We took this to appeal, as they could not tell us what it was they didn't like and wouldn't discuss with us to amend and meet in the middle so to speak. Whilst under appeal a neighbour (in house next door not attached) came out shouting at the husband and said, "you will be refused". We ignored and tried to diffuse the situation. Guess what! The plans were again refused. For the last 2 months we have been waiting for the local council to agree to a meeting, our plans were discussed without our presents on Friday, the only people who knew about this meeting was us, our architect and the planning office. Then the next day our neighbour (house not attached) called our architect and was having a shout about our plans and others that have been pasted in the road. He asked why she was calling him as he is not the Council - She hung up!!! The outcome of the meeting was only permitted building nothing more to the rear. Unless she knows someone in the council how would she have known about further discussions (and you wouldn't leave a call for 2 months then complain) I am starting to think there is something a little underhanded going on - who could I contact to take this further??? If there are various other bungalows like ours in the area that have had bigger extensions than ours is there a way to have our case looked at and or possible overturned.

Cash-Cow_3

After submitting some revised plans you said these were refused by the council. Firstly, what was the reason (s) for refusal? Secondly, you said it went to an appeal. What did the planning inspector say in the appeal decision?

DVardysShadow

The planning process is internally corrupt - perhaps not in the sense of brown envelopes, but in my experience in terms of the influences brought to bear. However, externally, it is transparent.

So your neighbour has every right to know about the progress of you planning application, about the meetings where decisions are amde and about outcomes.

You too have similar rights to see all submissions made on your planning application. This should include what your ranting neighbour has written.

little_chick

The letter back from council states relation to BE1 and BE2, Planning Policy Statement 1 Delivering sustainable development, then went on stating rear dormer window hip to gable end and rearward projection would result in a development that would fail to integrate fully with the subject property and its immediate and wider surrounds and result a development that due to its design would fail to improve the character and contrary to policies BE1 & BE2.

The appeal states:
rear extension and dormer window would have limited visual impact but would be within the rear garden the depth and width of the rear projection would be disproportionate in relation to the size and scale of the existing dwelling again mentioning Planning Policy Statement 1.
again mentioning BE1 and 2 concluding with refused.

We even put case studies in of 2 other bungalows that have even bigger extensions past in the last 12 months and was told they are not directly comparable.

little_chick

Hey DVardysShadow

We checked all this and there have been no official complaints from the neighbours. I think when we took the plans to a fast track appeal, at which point if they did not object officially it would not be taking into account at the appeal - was when the neighbour went spare - he came out shouting and then said I know you have sent to appeal and it will be refused???
The discussion that has taken place at the planning office on Friday this week was just to see going forward what they would now consider acceptable and the only persons to know of this meeting was planning, us and architect. There wasn't even sketches or drawings there. The planning office have now said they will do our architect a sketch of what will be allowed permitted building only. The neighbour must know someone who is making the decisions as she then called my architect today - is this really allowed to happen???

System

you can see the details of the applicant and the applicants agent for all planning submissions, so it's not like your neighbour has an inroad to confidential information, it is there for public viewing.
they have to tell you the reasons for refusals which at first you say they didn't then you quote the policies that they refused it on.
If there were objections to the proposals they would be shown on the public record too, if there are no objections it still doesn't mean the planning department will be happy with it, their job is to enfoce the local plan for your area, so if what you are doing is against the local plan then you are stumped really unless you amend the design to account for that.
it strikes a bit of paranoia, your neighbour is highly unlikely to be pulling the strings of the planning department for their own ends, it's more than likely they are concerned and have been asking questions and looking at the public case file

olly300

little_chick wrote: »

Hey DVardysShadow

We checked all this and there have been no official complaints from the neighbours. I think when we took the plans to a fast track appeal, at which point if they did not object officially it would not be taking into account at the appeal - was when the neighbour went spare - he came out shouting and then said I know you have sent to appeal and it will be refused???

Every time someone puts a planning application very nearby i.e. across the road or behind me I get a letter.

Even when I don't I can go to the council website and access the planning applications in the area plus have a look at the plans plus the outcomes.