planning help

awacko

hi, I really could do with some advice please. Basically our council are building a new school next door to us in the grounds of the old school. However, we've now realised that they've changed the plans without telling us and moved the buildings nearer us - can they do this without informing us. Also there is now going to be some windows which will now overlook our back garden which they will claim will have benches restricing access to the windows - unfortunately we're not convinced by this - how can we force them to do more to stop pupils looking into our garden. Obviously, if it was just a house we would contact the council for help but obviously as the councils planning department have a vested interest we fear that they are not likely to give us the most impartial of advice. Can anybody out ther give us some informed advice.Thanks

phill99

But surely the children will be looking into your garden during the week. Presuming you work, how can this be an issue? Certainly you have nothing to worry about at the weekends.

awacko

thanks - but wife only works part time and so uses the garden in the summer so we feel that this infringes on our privacy. Also I sit in the garden on days off

awacko

Anybody else with any suggestions please?

27col

Buying a house does not entitle you to any particular degree of privacy. Years ago when I lived in Portsmouth, I once counted 23 windows overlooking the small backyard of the house we were living in.
Most people have more pressing things to do than to stand there watching you sitting in your garden.
A bit of Nimbyism creeping in here I think.
"Stands back waiting for the inevitable remonstration."
Suggestion: Let it go, it won't be half as bad as you think.

Yorkie1

You are going to have to speak to the planning department if you want to try to resolve the issue.

Go online and double check they haven't obtained revised planning permission. Assuming they haven't, then compare the breaches of the existing permission and write to the planning officer.

awacko

The council are basically saying the changes are 'non-material variation to the original proposal'. And whilst I can see where Col7 is coming from , I think the point I'm trying to get a across is that its fair enough if you move into a property which already has existing windows looking into you , but to suddenly change things from having a garden which had no one looking into to this and not give you any comeback seems at least a bit harsh.

southcoastrgi

if they really won't do anything about the windows insist they fit frosted glass