useless planning officer - any suggestions?

27col

OP, you should be grateful that you are not having to deal the obstructionists in the Council that has been frustrating Sara Beenie, in her attempts to renovate Rise Hall. They appear be getting no help whatsoever from their planning officer. You would be forgiven for thinking that the "powers that be" would rather the house was allowed to fall down than to let any so-called misdemeanour get in the way of their exercise of "power". As far as I'm concerned the local Council at Beverley have come out of it looking very bad.
But Hey! Thev've got those boxes to tick.

Grimbal

Oh, it just gets more & more ridiculous ! Called up the PO this morning to be told that the application has now to go to "the local member" for confirmation that the planning department are able to make a decision without his input.

System

I assume you don't require a building warrant if you have the builders waiting?
13 weeks is a long time, can you not speak to the "team leader" in the office, sometimes that can help without causing too much friction, the other option is to get your local councillor involved, it's amazing how quickly something can happen when they get involved (but can also get awkward for future things!)
otherwise the threat of going straight to appeal does sometimes give them the shove they need, i know the departments are all understaffed etc, but they shouldn't take money for a service and promise a reply within 8 weeks if it's not possible, a private sector company would be heading out of business if they operated like that!

Grimbal

the_r_sole wrote: »

I assume you don't require a building warrant if you have the builders waiting?

they shouldn't take money for a service and promise a reply within 8 weeks if it's not possible, a private sector company would be heading out of business if they operated like that!

Building warrant? Is that not just a scottish thing? Never come across it before, and I think I read all the guidelines that were given to me !

My frustration with this whole debacle is summed up by your last sentence - I cannot believe how useless this guy is

molerat

Grimbal wrote: »

Building warrant? Is that not just a scottish thing? Never come across it before, and I think I read all the guidelines that were given to me !

My frustration with this whole debacle is summed up by your last sentence - I cannot believe how useless this guy is

The term is but the function is the same, have your drawings been approved by building control https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/449677

System

sorry, yes, as above the term is scottish, but you still require building reg approval in england

mrschaucer

Slap in the appeal. Might just concentrate minds, and at the very least you'll know someone is dealing with it. 13 weeks and they haven't got on to this "local member"? How long is all that going to take? They really are having a laugh, aren't they. My sympathies.

Hintza

Just to make you feel better.

It took us 5 years to get planning approval to demolish and rebuild (touching original footprint which was a compromise). They kept refusing it and would never give clear indications what we neeed to do. They kept saying come and have a chat the answer was still no.

I eventually lost patience with our planning officer and asked to see his boss, who came out and said that of course he wasn't up to speed on or case, I retorted "you soon will be".

We then hired a new architect and a planning counsultant and I then canvassed our local councillors it ws again refused. But I di get the planning committee to agree to a site visit and we got it the next time.

We moved in 2 weeks ago with work still to be done and the builders haven't been seen for 2 months now, but that is another story .

A.L.D.A

Do not apply for non determination. Tactically it is a bad move.

Be polite, but firm. Try weekly letters asking for update on progress, and if any further information is required from your side.

When you get an Approval (hopefully positive) lodge a complaint. It may help future applicants.

Frankly 13 weeks is nothing when it comes to the Planning Service and the Fees they charge (certainly in these parts) are excessive. Our economy cannot afford the delays and costs associated with this service and I doubt if wider interests are well served by current process. I blame the framework more than the individuals involved, though there are always some known for their negativity.

Someone mentioned Building Control and Building Notices. If you live in an area where these apply DO NOT proceed on this basis unless YOU know what you are doing. Beware of people saying you do not need Building Control Approval!! Some Builders advise this course, because it makes it more difficult to get comparable quotes and tie down what was included in the quote.

Dinah93

The 8 week deadline is not a promise by any means, it's a target. Also planning fees are currently set nationally, so the council has no control over this. They are pushing ahead to enable fees to be set locally, ones in the south east are expected to treble, while those in the north are expected to broadly stay the same.