Objecting to Planning Permission?

ClassicMad

Planning_Officer - the amenity space is a "generous" 114 sqm according to the plans, although you would never think it..... and in the notes it states that there is parking for 1 vehicle, you may be able to squeeze another on there.... and I suppose we should be classed as urban... I will see if I can find a map defining it on the Local Plan... typically the council website is having some down time today, but it's possible the parking space may be worth mentioning. And they are leaving 1m between the fence either side of the plot, so I can't get them on that one!

ClassicMad

Thought I'd pop in to update you all.

I have involved a local councillor. Although the meeting didn't look too positive to begin with, he agrees that the plot is too small, and the property will be too close to ours etc. He has spoken to the planning officer who first said "they will get permission because they have outline for a house already.... (not strictly true... it is for a "dwelling")... he has now changed his mind... there should a min of 25m between facing properties (?), and there will be only 12m between us... further complicated I think because the plans the council has haven't taken into account the extension that we have had built (with permission, I might add!), although that wouldn't have made much difference anyway. So the PO has now said that it looks like it is heading for a refusal. My councillor has advised that I arrange a meeting with the POs superior (who would normally approve/refuse etc).... however, having been in touch with the Council today, I have been told that I will have to speak to the case officer first. So, it seems that if the councillor hadn't intervened they would have just passed it? Taken no notice of our letters, visited the site etc? Why is it up to me to prove to them that it shouldn't be built because it contravenes THEIR planning rules?:mad:

And to make us look forward even more to meeting our new neighbours, we have heard on the village grapevine that they are drug dealers with two large rottweillers, who have made trouble in a neighbouring village and have been moved on..... oh joy! So, anybody know what kind of revenge a p***ed off drug dealer with 2 large dogs takes on neighbours who object to their planning permission? :rotfl:

harryhound

The council sent a planning bod in to see me once.
Nice enough 20 something I suppose.
I explained the situation and gave him a little aide memoir and thought I had done quite well.
As he came to leave, he made a remark that demonstrated he did not know his North from his South, his East from his West [Yes the sun was shining at the time] It was clear that every thing I had said, had gone right over his head.
Where do they get them from?

planning_officer

harryhound wrote: »

The council sent a planning bod in to see me once.
Nice enough 20 something I suppose.
I explained the situation and gave him a little aide memoir and thought I had done quite well.
As he came to leave, he made a remark that demonstrated he did not know his North from his South, his East from his West [Yes the sun was shining at the time] It was clear that every thing I had said, had gone right over his head.
Where do they get them from?

We're not all like that, I promise!! lol

planning_officer

ClassicMad wrote: »

He has spoken to the planning officer who first said "they will get permission because they have outline for a house already.... (not strictly true... it is for a "dwelling")...

very true - just because outline permission was granted does not mean they will get permission for a 2 storey house... sounds like that planning officer was being a tad lazy.

ClassicMad wrote: »

he has now changed his mind... there should a min of 25m between facing properties (?), and there will be only 12m between us...

quite often LPAs have minimum separation distances between dwellings (mine doesn't, but 20m to 25m is about standard for those that do). This highlights that a bungalow is about all they should be able to get on the plot (i.e. with no first floor windows).

ClassicMad wrote: »

further complicated I think because the plans the council has haven't taken into account the extension that we have had built

That's the purpose of a site visit by the case officer, so if he hasn;t made one, that's very lazy - and pretty irrresponsible I have to say.

ClassicMad wrote: »

So, it seems that if the councillor hadn't intervened they would have just passed it? Taken no notice of our letters, visited the site etc? Why is it up to me to prove to them that it shouldn't be built because it contravenes THEIR planning rules?

Mmm does seem that way - can't say I'm impressed by this particular planning department!! They should be careful otherwise you could end up going to the local government ombudsman if they end up approving something they shouldn't.

ClassicMad

I spoke to the planning officer today. He'll be making his report to his superior soon :beer: ........ he has now visited the site and says that it will be over developed given that the min distance between our properties can't be met and the loss of privacy and amenity etc....

Planning Officer - if the applicant decides to appeal against the decision, how long does it take generally for anything more to happen? And do we get to have our say again?

harryhound

planning_officer wrote: »

Mmm does seem that way - can't say I'm impressed by this particular planning department!! They should be careful otherwise you could end up going to the local government ombudsman if they end up approving something they shouldn't.

You won't be awarded a fortune but at least the councillors and officers will get an official slap on the wrist - It would be much better if they could do the job, for which we pay them, correctly.

If they do their job correctly it also means that there can be no suggestion of "backhanders" Donnygate style.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2882633.stm

ClassicMad

Woo hoo!! :T
Planning permission refused! It's official as of yesterday. Another councillor jumped on board (who's on the planning com) and she agrees that it's absolutely stupid to build on that plot.... but as outline is already there, a bungalow will get the go ahead..... she has said that she will make sure that conditions are put in place if that happens to make sure there will be no extending in to the roof space.

So, we'll just have to be ready for round 2.... an appeal I expect, then maybe plans for a chalet bungalow..... BRING IT ON!!

Thanks everyone for your support... I'm sure I'll be back for more!

rocky_robin

Well done ! A bit of good news in the battle of the "little guys" against bureaucracy

Reading this thread does give me some hope. We have a small garden centre opposite us which has had planning permission turned down for houses several times due to the "over supply" in the area, so the developers have now gone down the social conscience route of a 2 story children's nursery, 2 story medical centre and 3 story nursing home.

http://planning.trafford.gov.uk/MVM/Online/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningTechAppraisalPK.xml&PARAM0=101618&XSLT=/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/trafford/xslt/PL/PLTechAppraisalDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/trafford/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

Outline permission for layout and access has been granted following a planning committeee meeting after the planning officer was "minded to grant" but we are still awaiting the application for reserved matters.

They got 20 letters of objection but the problems we have are that

1) The owners of the site live in the houses either side of it and are therefore benefitting and not going to object

2) Our local councillor who was on the planning committee was unable to participate in the decision because he was friends with the applicant

3) The garden centre has now closed, making it seemingly a "done deal", although I guess the land becomes "worth something" once the outline permission was given

We are planning a leaflet drop and hoping that more people show some concern as many people were unaware of the development but the greatest objections were probably the fact it is a residential area and the road isn't wide enough or suitable but these grounds have already been overturned by granting of the outline permission

ClassicMad

Hi rocky_robin

I honestly don't think a blind bit of notice was taken of the letters that my neighbours and I submitted, despite me putting a lot of effort in to reading and quoting the local plan in it. It was only because I involved my local district councillor (there are two, the other just got involved and is on the planning committee) and he re-iterated what I'd already said. Is there another councillor you can contact to get on your side? It's a bit unfair otherwise that you don't have anybody who's not connected with this development to speak up for you. Another good piece of advice I received from the lovely people on this site is to speak to the planning officer direct and make friends with him/her. Make your concerns known and keep in touch with them regularly.

"My" plot should never have got outline permission in the first place, so do all you can NOW to get it stopped... at least you'll know you've done all you can... but it is very frustrating.

Good luck.