How to dispute/comment on Planning Application that has already been decided

sipsachin

Hi All, 

There are proposed plans to build 500 new flats ranging from 4 -12 stores high. My house has never been sent an email or letter through the post to comment on these buildings, and have our voice heard - and now the PA portal says it has been decided - not knowing there was an appeal process too (new to this stuff). Is there a way of having this reopened to the public? 

When reading through the comments etc. I can see only 18 neighbours comments for such a big project. To me, that suggests either not enough people knew to do this or were oblivious to the situation as there was no/lack of communication. Additionally, the public discussion meeting took place during the prime of the first lockdown, where again my household was not told this was happening.

As my row would be most affects by these new buildings due to height, privacy (see directly into the garden), sunlight, traffic, parking - the list can go on. 

Any suggestions and advice on what I can do would be very helpful or how I should handle the situation? 

Link for PA Portal: https://pa.brent.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=DCAPR_148363 

canaldumidi

If the council did not follow due process, informing the relevant parties of the proposal and inviting objections, the decision could theorically be overturned.

You'd need to find out

* how/where the council publicised the application, and

* how/where the council should have publicised the application,

I see:    Neighbour Consultation Expiry Date Fri 20 Mar 2020

You could ask the case officer June Taylor for details.

elsien

They don’t have to inform you directly if you’re not an immediate neighbour. A notice on a lamppost will suffice. Some councils go over and above their obligations in contacting the wider community directly. 

princeofpounds

Local government ombudsman is one possibility.

https://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-complaint/fact-sheets/planning-and-building-control/publicity-given-to-a-planning-application-complaints-about#:~:text=If you believe that the,you can complain to us.&text=If there is still time,application should not be approved.

Judicial review perhaps, but you have to move fast and it's expensive.

https://www.richardbuxton.co.uk/the-law/judicial-review-process

user1977

princeofpounds said:

Judicial review perhaps, but you have to move fast and it's expensive.

https://www.richardbuxton.co.uk/the-law/judicial-review-process

Way too late for that, the decision was issued last June.

An Ombudsman complaint isn't going to overturn the planning decision, and it's not clear the OP has any grounds for a complaint anyway.

sipsachin

elsien said:

They don’t have to inform you directly if you’re not an immediate neighbour. A notice on a lamppost will suffice. Some councils go over and above their obligations in contacting the wider community directly. 

I can confirm there was no posting - no boards on the property too. I have talked to my neighbours and they don't recall being asked or sent information too.

sipsachin

user1977 said:

princeofpounds said:

Judicial review perhaps, but you have to move fast and it's expensive.

https://www.richardbuxton.co.uk/the-law/judicial-review-process

Way too late for that, the decision was issued last June.

An Ombudsman complaint isn't going to overturn the planning decision, and it's not clear the OP has any grounds for a complaint anyway.

What if more neighbours have the same query - can that build a case in your opinion

user1977

sipsachin said:

user1977 said:

princeofpounds said:

Judicial review perhaps, but you have to move fast and it's expensive.

https://www.richardbuxton.co.uk/the-law/judicial-review-process

Way too late for that, the decision was issued last June.

An Ombudsman complaint isn't going to overturn the planning decision, and it's not clear the OP has any grounds for a complaint anyway.

What if more neighbours have the same query - can that build a case in your opinion

No, it's got nothing to do with how many people agree with you. There is no way of reversing the decision other than via a judicial review - which you're months out of time for now, and you haven't suggested any grounds for one of those anyway.

[Deleted User]

Do you really want to object? You have a house, you are lucky. Think about the people who don't and who need these new flats.

penners324

Complain to your local MP, they may he able to persuade the Home Secretary to review it.

Extremely unlikely though 

Andthen07

Is this a case of not in my back yard?