Extension - neighbours have objected but AFTER the deadline

wacky75

I've applied for a 6m single storey extension to a semi-detached house.
Our adjoining neighbours have objected, but it's dated one week AFTER the deadline on the local council website.
Do the council have to entertain the objection or should it be thrown out ?
The council advised it is the first time in their entire history that this has happened !

Thanks

hazyjo

Would have thought they're too late - deadlines are set for a reason - but would presume that only the council can let you know for sure. What have they said? They must have guidelines, even if it hasn't happened before. Find it strange that it's the first time it's happened, would have thought it's reasonably common for people to try to object a bit late for various reasons.


Jx

rhino_horn

Having looked online at my local council's planning guidelines it seems that they do accept late objections in some cases providing a judgment hasn't been made.

A quick Google on other council websites state similar. So yes, they can entertain it. What's the point of giving a deadline if it's meaningless??

wacky75

they said they will discuss it in a meeting and let me know in a few days.
I believe the dates should be adhered to otherwise there's no point in having a deadline.

hazyjo

Stoopid bloody councils! Agree - what's the point of that then!


Jx

davidmcn

The deadline means that the council has to consider representations if they're made in time - I'm not aware of there being any principle that they should ignore comments made afterwards.
People tend to have an exaggerated view of how important objections actually are - they're usually either irrelevant from a planning point of view, or point out things which the planners have already considered.

Davesnave

Is their objection based on planning grounds?

Many objections are just a load of waffle without reference to planning guidelines or policy, and as david says, councils don't give much weight to these.

With regard to deadlines, I guess there has to be a cut-off point in good time for the next meeting, that's all. Up to the council if they decide to slot it in.

wacky75

their objections are to do with light, aesthetics and they've quoted something from the council planning website about size (which seems to contradict the governments permitted development rules).

AndyBSG

To object on the basis of light there is a general '45 degree rule' so you should reference this in any appeals.

Aesthetics is also pretty easy to debunk unless you're building a complete eyesore. As long as you are building in similar materials to what the existing building is using that's a good starting point and if you can find similar extensions nearby for evidence will help.

As for the local council permitted development being different to the government one, isn't that irrelevant? If you were going down the permitted development route then you wouldn't even be filing for planning permission, you'd just build the damn thing because there's no way your neighbours can object.

If you're going for planning permission then permitted development is completely irrelevant and has no bearing.

Guest101

Im just surprised you didn't have a tea and cakes discussion with your immediate neighbour before making the application...

G_M

I don't understand your question here.

You've asked the council and they've said

they will discuss it in a meeting and let me know in a few days.

So wait a few days and you'll get your answer.