Air conditioning unit on side of neighbour's house - best approach?

doodling

Hi,

Ignoring this particular case, I note that people in this thread are still stating that air-conditioning does not need planning permission.  This is wrong.  If the system has a cooling function then it needs planning permission.

The law (well, GPDR) was changed to permit the installation of heat pumps for heating only.

Doc_N

doodling said:

Hi,

Ignoring this particular case, I note that people in this thread are still stating that air-conditioning does not need planning permission.  This is wrong.  If the system has a cooling function then it needs planning permission.

The law (well, GPDR) was changed to permit the installation of heat pumps for heating only.

Succinctly put and of course absolutely correct.

So much misinformation........

nicknameless

Regardless of what you think of the OP's position or situation there are some really stupid and vitriolic responses to it on here.  Hiding behind a screen it's easy to do isn't it?

Hope your wife is ok OP and all is sorted to everyone's benefit.  Ignore the idiots in their perfect worlds.

elsien

doodling said:

Hi,

Ignoring this particular case, I note that people in this thread are still stating that air-conditioning does not need planning permission.  This is wrong.  If the system has a cooling function then it needs planning permission.

The law (well, GPDR) was changed to permit the installation of heat pumps for heating only.

But  there are people who are also saying they've checked with their planning department and been told in their circumstances that they don't need it.
Out of interest, if there was a dispute in these circumstances and the planning department had given incorrect information, how would this stand? 

Doc_N

elsien said:

doodling said:

Hi,

Ignoring this particular case, I note that people in this thread are still stating that air-conditioning does not need planning permission.  This is wrong.  If the system has a cooling function then it needs planning permission.

The law (well, GPDR) was changed to permit the installation of heat pumps for heating only.

But  there are people who are also saying they've checked with their planning department and been told in their circumstances that they don't need it.
Out of interest, if there was a dispute in these circumstances and the planning department had given incorrect information, how would this stand? 

The problem is that people phone planning departments tend not to get put through to actual Planning Officers - just support staff with a limited knowledge. 

What actually matters is not what individuals say, but what tbe law says, and the law is crystal clear. 

doodling

Hi,

elsien said:

doodling said:

Hi,

Ignoring this particular case, I note that people in this thread are still stating that air-conditioning does not need planning permission.  This is wrong.  If the system has a cooling function then it needs planning permission.

The law (well, GPDR) was changed to permit the installation of heat pumps for heating only.

But  there are people who are also saying they've checked with their planning department and been told in their circumstances that they don't need it.
Out of interest, if there was a dispute in these circumstances and the planning department had given incorrect information, how would this stand? 

I suspect that a lot depends on what sort of advice you've got.  If it was some form of formal advice which you have evidence of  (my council makes you pay for formal discussions) during which you were clear that the system did cooling and heating then you might stand a good chance of either:

1. a retrospective planning application being looked on very favourably; or
2. the council footing the bill for your costs of installation / removal.

If you just had a phone call which you can't evidence then I suspect you'll be crossing your fingers and hoping that your retrospective application is accepted.

DartfordKit

doodling said:

Hi,

Ignoring this particular case, I note that people in this thread are still stating that air-conditioning does not need planning permission.  This is wrong.  If the system has a cooling function then it needs planning permission.

The law (well, GPDR) was changed to permit the installation of heat pumps for heating only.

Is GDPR a typo or yet another acronym in planning? I thought it related to data protection?

Doc_N

DartfordKit said:

doodling said:

Hi,

Ignoring this particular case, I note that people in this thread are still stating that air-conditioning does not need planning permission.  This is wrong.  If the system has a cooling function then it needs planning permission.

The law (well, GPDR) was changed to permit the installation of heat pumps for heating only.

Is GDPR a typo or yet another acronym in planning? I thought it related to data protection?

GPDR - General Permitted Development Rights.

Doc_N

metron said:

Chumy said:

This thread just made my day!
OP is so sure of the outcome

No additional advice required

I had good advice from some people, and I considered all the sensible posts. The rest I just laughed at, and felt a little sorry for the posters who obviously live in a different world from the one we live in round here.

Following the advice, I formulated a plan of action, which is now in place.  We have very clear advice from the Planning Department urging us to make a complaint, but to be fair to our neighbours, with whom we get on perfectly well, we shall discuss the issues arising with them before we do anything.

I strongly suspect, looking further into all this, that they've been misled by the company selling the thing, and if that's the case they'll change the position without charge. We're not exactly talking about large sums of money, whoever pays for the work.

I'll feed back in due course, but meanwhile leave all the trolls to have their fun.  

This was the last appearance of the OP - some time ago. 

Sums it all up, and despite the snarling nonsense from the usual trolls who add nothing to any thread but criticism it seems perfectly fair and reasonable, bearing in mind that it wasn't the OP who broke the law and is in the wrong but the neighbour.

He's said he'll come back and update when there's anything to add.  I'm interested in that, especially if it has to go to enforcement, but apart from that, what's left to discuss here?  Isn't it all rather pointless now we all know these units need planning permission?

doodling

Hi,

DartfordKit said:

doodling said:

Hi,

Ignoring this particular case, I note that people in this thread are still stating that air-conditioning does not need planning permission.  This is wrong.  If the system has a cooling function then it needs planning permission.

The law (well, GPDR) was changed to permit the installation of heat pumps for heating only.

Is GDPR a typo or yet another acronym in planning? I thought it related to data protection?

It is not a typo.

Acronyms:

• GPDR = General Permitted Development Regulations (Detailed in the General Permitted Development Order)
• GDPR = General Data Protection Regulation

With respect to planning, the GPDR detail what is counted as "Permitted Development" and therefore not subject to planning permission.  It should be noted that councils have the ability to withdraw some of the permissions given in the order so you can't just read the order and assume you can do everything listed.