HELP Planning permission for X2 two story coach houses in garden!!!!

Helen224488

We live in a large house which was converted into 5 flats over 20 years ago. The owner of the whole house, an elderly lady lives in garden flat and has sole use of garden and garage. She sold other 4 flats years ago: top floor, first floor rear, first floor front and ground/hall floor flat. She lives in basement/garden flat.

She has just put in planning permission to build x2 two story coach houses in garden. One at bottom of garden and one to replace her garage. There is only 1 garage and it is hers. There is a drive way for 4 cars and we all have a parking space, except for 1 person who doesn't drive or own a car.

I phoned Bristol City Council today as we have not received any letter informing us of the plans and the option for us to object. The case worker said he is in the process of sending out letters to all relevant neighbours.

We live in a tiny first floor rear flat so 1 of our bedrooms and our lounge/kitchen overlooks the garden. We are worried about noise as the plans look like there will be 4 parking spaces in garden. Presently the driveway is at front of property. The disruption will be huge!

I have read all advice on Bristol City Council planning site but I am not sure how best to word our objection. I would love some advice on how we can object in a polite proffessional manner. The objection email will go online for all to view! Any help gratefully received.

Here are the 2 links: http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NLVOT7DNIIW00

http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NLVLVADNIIG00

moneyistooshorttomention

First thought - both these things say "there is one property associated with this application".

I would rather translate that as meaning this elderly lady is the only person being deemed to be closely concerned - but that doesn't seem the case to me - in view of the 4 other households living in this house.

When this case worker said he is sending out letters to "all relevant neighbours" I would want to be a good bit clearer on exactly who he meant by "relevant neighbours". He may just mean the next door neighbours - and not other people living in the same building.

I would think you need to get together with the other households in the building and plan your approach to this jointly. I would also think you need to put it in writing to this case worker that your 4 households are THE most "relevant neighbours" and that you share the same building.

I admit to being very curious why this woman is actually wanting this in the first place - as you describe her as "elderly". To me - I tend to wonder what point there is in doing anything major when one, presumably, doesn't have that much longer left. I certainly won't be going in for anything at all "major" once I get to my 80s for instance (more like getting my affairs in order and doing the last few things I meant to do in my life). But I am aware that there might be a few people who would describe me as "elderly" - though I'm actually "late middle age" (being in my 60s). So - roughly how old is this woman in the event...

Helen224488

Thanks Moneyistooshorttomention, To clarify the call to case worker: I mentioned that we had not received any correspondance and he said that the application only wen't online yesterday and that he would write to all affected including myself and other occupiers in the other 4 flats. He also said we did not have to wait for letter and that we could object by writing comment online or by email or letter.

Also I phoned the architect company who submitted plans and told them that my work colleague who happens to live around the corner in Napier Court were notified by their management company of the plans but we were not. He said that they wrote to our management company who have not passed on any message.

The lady in question is in her 70's/80's. Her late husband was the person who made the original conversion from whole house into flats. She mentioned her plans to us last year but we didn't think much of it. I think her plans are to move into one of the coach houses and sale her original flat and the other coach house. It's extensive building work. The garden is huge and she never uses it apart from her small dog. It's a shame we couldn't get to enjoy the garden too. The ground floor/hall 2 bed flat (with no garden) sold last year for £325k. We live in a really expensive area of Bristol where houses £400k-£1 million! It has the best schools etc.

I totally agree with your last paragraph. Not sure why she is doing it. She does have steep steps going down to her flat. I have the feeling it is more greed than mobility.

-taff

It doesn't matter why she's doing it, it's her proerty and she can do what she likes with it within reason and with planning permission.

Why have you not asked her if you could enjoy the garden too in the past or offered to buy some of it?

Helen224488

-taff wrote: »

It doesn't matter why she's doing it, it's her proerty and she can do what she likes with it within reason and with planning permission.

Why have you not asked her if you could enjoy the garden too in the past or offered to buy some of it?

I know it is her property and she can do what she wants with it. We are concerned about noise of 4 cars above our bedroom and lounge if the coach houses are built.

My husband and I rent our flat (not from the lady) and have been here for 3 years so we would not want to buy part of the garden. I only wish I could afford to buy a flat in this area. Lady in question is very private and I would not ask her use garden. She doesn't want to share her garden she wants to build coach houses in it.

We are saving for a deposit so hopefully in a year or so we can buy our own house (with garden) in a more affordable area until then we just want peace and quiet.

-taff

You may be out of luck then.....
I'd start saving harder

Helen224488

-taff wrote: »

You may be out of luck then.....
I'd start saving harder

Already saving the most we can over £1000 a month. If anyone else has constructive advice on how we can word our objection email we would be very grateful.

eddddy

Helen224488 wrote: »

...If anyone else has constructive advice on how we can word our objection email we would be very grateful.

Here's a list of valid reasons for objection: https://www.richmond.gov.uk/what_is_a_valid_objection_to_a_planning_application

Pick those that are relevant - and provide some details. it sounds like one of your concerns is "Noise and disturbance resulting from use".

Lord_Baltimore

I think you may have a hard time making an objection stick. Councils tend to like residential development particularly when there is an ongoing and significant population increase.

You might need to view the development less pessimistically. Perhaps your new neighbours will become your friends and the changes will be temporarily inconvenient but not truly disruptive when completed.

I honestly think that your objection will be over-ruled but it will nonetheless be published online for all to see and that might not help neighbourly relations.

penguine

I successfully challenged an application for planning permission several years ago. It was to build three flats on the roof of the block of flats where we lived. I visited the planning officer at the council to talk about valid reasons to object – those are the only things they can take into account so it's worth studying those. I argued that three flats was excessive for the space and that two would be more suitable, so after the planning application was rejected our freeholder resubmitted it and successfully gained permission for two flats.

As you rent rather than own your flat I don't think you need to be too worried about neighbourly relations. I'd be surprised if the elderly lady decides to retaliate!

Best of luck.

missbiggles1

As you rent, who is your LL and is s/he likely to object to the development?