When neighbours from hell try to get your planning permission rejected

earningNsaving

We have neighbours from hell. There are actually 3 houses of them all in their own little area, a click or whatever it's called. Not many on the street has much to do with them because of how they behave. One is next door to us, the other is next door to them and the other is opposite next door. They're all best friends, gossipers, loud, liars - you know the sort. We call them the witches coven.

We have applied for planning permission. We just knew that these 3 houses would object and sure enough so far, one of them has (the one that is furthest away from us and they only moved in a few weeks ago!!). The other 2 we don't think would have a leg to stand on as they don't own their houses - they live in council houses and one of the houses is on benefits. Our architect actually told us if they complained, he didn't think they would have a leg to stand on as they don't own their own homes but said they would most likely still try to object - people like them always do!

Letters have also gone out to the houses the other side of us and opposite us and they are happy for the extension to go ahead. They said it won't block their light or view as we have full light round here all the time yet that house further up that has said it will take away their light (downright lie as the architect went on a website which showed where the light will go and it won't affect them whatsoever). We can see throughout the day they have full light too. It also won't block their view as they don't have any view as it is at present over there. We know they are objecting for malicious reasons only.

So I'm just wondering if the council can see that they would be lying about the view and light or whether they just take peoples word for it and don't bother to investigate to see if they might just be doing it for malicious reasons.

bris

Councils don't refuse planning on objections unless their is a legal and correct reason for the objection.


They will investigate the objections, they don't just refuse because a neighbour asks them too.

earningNsaving

Thank you. That's good to know. Fingers crossed we get it

AndyMc.....

The neighbours can't be that bad if you're spending more money to stay put.

Le_Kirk

earningNsaving wrote: »

...... a click or whatever it's called.

I think "CLIQUE" is the word you are after.

Furts

earningNsaving wrote: »

Thank you. That's good to know. Fingers crossed we get it

You could get your local councillor involved and write a letter supporting you. This would be diplomatically worded, and a little different in manner to your post! This would be all the more relevant if the same councillor is on the Planning Committee. Or if they are colleagues/same political party as key members of the Planning Committee.
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elsien

I'm a little unclear on how being on benefits would affect the validity of any objections?

But they do need to object on specific grounds, and most people aren't aware of what that involves.

missile

Seems you have bought an ex-council property?

If you have not already done it? I would suggest you should check your deeds as there may be a restriction on permissible development.

A council tenant on benefit has just as much right to complain as anyone else.

Debbie_Savard

TBH, seems odd to invest more in the property given its location. Better to move?

Davesnave

earningNsaving wrote: »

Our architect actually told us if they complained, he didn't think they would have a leg to stand on as they don't own their own homes .

I would be wary of a so-called 'architect' who held that view.


Architects are highly trained, so they know that planning objections aren't somehow validated by ownership, or the reverse.

Hoploz

Really quite shocked at the way you've spoken about these people and their opinions.

I think you should forget the extension and move. It's not your kind of place anymore, by the sounds of it.