Objecting to Planning Permission?

ClassicMad

Hi
Last year a small plot of land which is right next to our property was put up for sale. The owners sought outline planning permission for a residence and vehicular access, which they were granted, despite our letter of objection. We are in a bungalow and anything other than another bungalow (which we don't object to) will affect our privacy greatly as well as block out an awful lot of light. The plot has now been sold, and full planning permission for a 3 bedroom detached house has been applied for. My question is, as outline permission (for nothing specific) has been granted, is this now a done deal? I mean, does this mean that they can definitely build something, or if we put up enough of a fight could a house be refused and a bungalow built instead?
We were told or read somewhere that privacy issues alone aren't enough to build an objection on, so HELP! What can I do... it's so depressing.....:mad:
Thanks for any advice

clutton_2

you need to read their planning application - you can see it online or go to our local council offices and look at it and see exactly what they have applied for.,

there are very specific reasons why a plan will be refused and lack of privacy or light are not on the list.

since OPP has been granted you are on a sticky wicket.

see which way the house is to be built - there are rules as to how far windows can be from each other


you can ask to talk to a planning officer to ask what grounds you might have for objection

ClassicMad

Thanks Clutton

We are going to the council offices on Monday to view the plans so we'll talk to somebody while we are there..... do you think if I throw in that my daughter is partially sighted and has trouble with dim light, that it will make a difference...? I don't like to use her disability like that, but it's sure to have an impact on her life.

poppysarah

There might be a better planning forum somewhere to find out how to complain properly - you have to pick up on all the bits like bigger house = more people = more parking needed.
Height and line of sight need to be looked at - but you need proper help working it all out.

You need to check out too how the land has been classified on the council's UDP. If it was green open space then they shouldn't build on it.

UncleMonty_2

You need to find out what matters were reserved with the outline planning application.

There are two types of application - outline and full.

Full means you are applying for all details of an actual development, i.e. how it will be accessed, what it will look like, how big it will be, where it will be located on the site etc

Outline applies for the principal of a development i.e. can I build a house on this land? With an outline there are what is known as reserved matters. They are layout, scale, landscaping, access and appearance.

Now when submitting an outline you can also ask for any of the res matters to be determined i.e. you could then apply for a house and include details of the access to the site, or the layout of the site (i.e. where the house will be located).

You would then reserve all the other matters and once you received the outline planning permission you would submitted a reserved matters application where you submit the details of all the other matters. Once this is approved you effectively have a full permission i.e. an application with details of everything.

It sounds as if they have applied for outline with access to be approved but you will need to check.

If they haven't asked for appearance and scale to be approved and have reserved them for the reserved matters application then it will mean the size of the property, where the windows are etc hasn't been submitted and therefore approved yet.

If this is the case you can lodge a 3rd party objection to the reserved matters application on the grounds of privacy distances and overlooking. Bear in mind that these are set in local planning policy guidance i.e. a min distance of xxxmetres from habitable window to habitable window. Unfortunately, loss of light and loss of view are not material considerations in a planning application.

But check out what they applied for first, it will be available online, and then come back and I'll try to help further. If you post a link to the application that would help.

ClassicMad

Dear Uncle Monty

Here are the links that I can find relating to the applications.... They don't really provide much info though, so I'm not sure it'll help much
http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/TendringDC/Environment/Planning+and+Buildings/
http://195.99.151.54/publicaccess/tdc/dcapplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=IXIC8NQBS1000
http://195.99.151.54/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?keyval=K0LD39QB05W00&searchtype=PROPERTY&module=P3

Thanks again for any help
(and thanks Poppysarah)

SquatNow

Are the houses either side of the plot bungalows or is the one on the other side a house?

If they are both bungalows it might be worth arguing that the HOUSE wouldn't be fitting in with a street of bungalow.

narced

clutton wrote: »

there are very specific reasons why a plan will be refused and lack of privacy or light are not on the list.

This is not true, both loss of light and overshadowing / overlooking CAN be taken into consideration in a planning application.

clutton_2

i stand corrected

narced

clutton wrote: »

i stand corrected

Only happen to know as I got a planning application comment sheet from the council when my neighbour was applying for his extension!

ClassicMad

Thanks for all of your comments / advice so far.

SquatNow - there are houses either side, we will be behind it, and we are in a bungalow, this will dwarf our property.