Need help to oppose planning application

koppite412

I hope I have this in the right section!

We live in a terrace house and the owner of a neighbouring property has submitted plans for conversion into two flats with parking.

As parking is already at a premium where we live and flats would greatly go against the feel of the rest of the road, naturally we are going to oppose this application.

Does anybody have some good and useful ideas that councils will listen to and agree with as reasons to oppose planning in such a case?

Thanks

sham63

Are the parking spaces going to be off-road? Is there enough room for two spaces?

koppite412

Possibly they will be, although you could only get a single smart car on there without it overhanging the pavement and any drop kerb, the front garden is that small. only around 4 metres from the wall of the house to the path.

sham63

There is normally a requirement for new on-site parking spaces to be big enough for a car to be able to turn around so it does not have to reverse off into the road (for obvious highways safety reasons). This may be Council policy. It may also be Council policy for the new flats to be able to provide enough on site parking for flats - they may fall foul of this. However, if you are in a big city the Council may be keen on a more 'car free' approach to new residential development, although this only works where residents parking schemes are in force. If it does not comply with Council policy it will be normally be refused.

Richard_Webster

You need to find out about your Council policy on parking. Where I am they don't care about parking standards any more and merely insist on the provision of bicycle racks!

Jonbvn

I would recommend that you go with parking issue. The point about the "feel" of the area is subjective, and as such difficult to argue.

Make sure you put your objections in writing in a clear and concise manner, within the period allowed (usually 21 days).

koppite412

That all seems pretty cool, didnt think of it that way, thanks people!

Debt_Free_Chick

Sorry to be doom and gloom but here's my thoughts ....

The Council may consider that the parking facilities available to the current property will be sufficient for the new flats, too (and I can understand that). BUT they might also view the development favourably, as it uses an existing property in preference to a new building on vacant land.

Many councils would view this as a favourable development, unless there were strong planning grounds to refuse it. Of course, you should still object, but I assume you know that objections, alone, are no guarantee that PP will be refused. The record in my area is an application that had 42 objections - and still got passed!

Johnhowell

Have I look on the local authorties website and research some of the recent applications. Look at those rejected and read the planners reasons. See if these are applicable in your case.

A property "out of character" for the area is used in some rejections.

John

theGrinch

you need to find out the councils policy on flat conversions on your road. on mine its no more flats as it would change the character of the road on top of parking issues.

chappers

You need to look at your local councils adopted plan and make objections based on how it doesn't adhere to that. Then maybe look at right to light issues if you think you may be affected by these and finally include your general reservations about the development.But as D_F_C says a planning application cannot be turned down soley on sentimental objections there must be breaches of the local plan.