First Floor Extention Objection

Yolina

My 2p worth since since I'm currently in the middle of objecting to a planning application (something far bigger than a 1st floor extension...)

1) forget the instant (but natural) emotional response - your objection needs to be based on facts

2) take the time to look at the plans and any related documents carefully - if anything isn't clear, call the planning officer in charge of the application and ask

3) make a note of the deadline for consultation, you want to make sure that your reply gets there in time

4) make a clear list of what you object to, explaining why and if necessary substantiate with pictures and relevant background info

5) come back to your list a day later and go through things again - have you missed anything out? Is everything clearly laid out, concise and to the point? Can anything be worded better?

6) do number 5 again!

7) have someone else read through - does it make sense to them or does it just sound like a long rant? Amend as necessary


Once you've done all that, *then* send it to the Planning Department.

Yorkie1

By way of background research, have a look on your street on googleearth. It should show whether lots of similar extensions have been granted for similar situations in the near area. This may give you an idea of the planning peoples' views on such applications.

Yolina

And check your Council's website for recent decisions on similar applications (if they've granted a lot of them, it doesn't bode well for your case, but if they've refused some you could refer to these)

Green_box

Yolina wrote: »

My 2p worth since since I'm currently in the middle of objecting to a planning application (something far bigger than a 1st floor extension...)

1) forget the instant (but natural) emotional response - your objection needs to be based on facts

I totally agree with this.

In addition I would look at the Council's planning policies and base your arguments on these where possible. Avoid words like "right to light" and "devaluing" as these hold little importance in planning terms.

Yolina

I'd say right to light might be worth mentioning if 1) your building actually has it (20 years+ of enjoyment) and 2) it might be affected - not so much for the planning people but just so that the person building is then aware that you might have a claim on those grounds and that potentially they could be made to demolish later on... Just so that they might want to be a more agreeable to suggested changes maybe

clairelh

Right to light is a pretty difficult one to argue I'm afraid. My old neighbours built an extension which blocked the side window of our kitchen, we had a lot less light, but we still had light via another window. Unless the extension will block your sole light source to a room, then it's not likely to be the dealbreaker in terms of opposing any planning. Your right to privacy may hold more clout, what aspect will the windows be facing - will your garden have the same level of privacy? Will it mean your neighbour can see into your house? The planning dept will look at type of windows though, so if they're going to have a bathroom as their extension, then the window will probably be frosted so privacy will not be deemed to be invaded with the likes of this.

However, as Yorkie1 has said, if others have already done similar on your street, then a precedent has been set and planning refusal will be much less likely.