planning applications - tenants informed?

newname_3

Hi, I live in a flat in a converted house of six flats. Everyone who lives in these flats are tenants of the same landlord.

I found out from a neigbour across the road that other people in the area had recieved a letter about a planning application for another 6 or so flats (can't remember exactly what number she said) to be built at the back of the current house.

I haven't recieved a letter myself and neither have the other tenants on the site as far as I know. I was wondering if because we are tenants on the landlord's site where they want to build that we are not entitled to put in any objections? Or maybe it's just chance that we haven't had our letters yet? No notices have gone up on lampposts so far.

poppysarah

You should consult your local planning dept. Some allow you to look at plans online - have a look who's on the "consultation list" and if you're not, but you think you should be then get in touch with planning and ask why not. You can still put in objections whether you are or not.

brightonman123

notice should go to EVRYONE that could be affected.

Debt_Free_Chick

There is no statutory requirement for the planning authority to individually contact "everyone that could be affected". With certain exceptions, only the adjoining owners get a notice from the planning authority. However, the application should have had other publicity e.g. a notice posted at the site, a listing in the local newspaper.

That said, you don't have to be invited to comment on a planning application. Anyone, anywhere can comment on any application made anywhere in the Country. So if you live in Lands' End, you can comment on an application made in John O'Groats

As suggested, check on line and/or visit the council offices to view the application and plans.

Objections should be on planning considerations. Ideally you need to appreciate what the local planning policies are - it could be that planning authority (Council) favours discreet development of the type proposed in that particular area

newname_3

Maybe the council haven't had time to put notices up yet but I am hoping to see them doing so tomorrow. (They haven't put anything online yet either.) I will ring them up and ask for a letter to be sent anyway I think.

We live in a conservation area so things will be a bit tighter in terms of what should be accepted. It would be a bit difficult to explain here all the details of how things are in the vicinity but I can certainly see an argument that character of both the site and the street would be damaged by a development in the grounds of the house. (Especially reading the council's own description of this particular conservation area and what they consider the important features to be.)

Also, although this would depend on what precisely the access plans are, I think increased traffic at the corner of the street and onto the site itself could be a problem.

I know the people across the road are likely to put in objections. I am a bit concerned about putting in an objection myself for fear of the landlord being !!!!ed off and evicting me/putting up the rent or something. I think I'd only feel happy about doing something collectively with all the tenants of the building. I'd have to see if they were interested in doing that. (I've only spoken to one so far and was just letting him know. I don't know whether he'll want to take any action or not.)

This development would be more flats as well rather than family-sized housing which is what I understand to be much needed at the moment. There are already quite a lot flats in the area - some modern blocks built before the conservation area was designated. The rest of the housing is large Victorian family houses. There's lots of trees and long gardens on my street and the parallel street. These are all well maintained but the larger neighbourhood that the conservation area is in is fairly poor.

clutton_2

what are your specific objections to the development from your own personal point of view ?

newname_3

Well I do genuinely think it would impinge on the character of the area and do not want to have increased traffic on to the site. I chose to move here because of the features - being in a conservation area/the large garden/very quiet/somewhere safe for a cat. (not easy to get all these things together if you are renting and have a limited budget - but it is market rent for the street.) And of course nobody likes living on a building site. If it goes ahead I would most likely move to be honest.

planning_officer

If you're likely to move if it takes place, it sounds like you might as well object to it. I was going to say that not all developments require a site notice, but if you live in a conservation area, like you say, then the council should really be putting up a site notice. All your above points are valid planning objections, with the exception of the last comment about nobody likes living on a building site!

Is this a new building being proposed or an extension to the existing building? Either way, if it appears overbearing from the existing flats or takes up the majority of the garden space, they are also issues worth considering if you do object.

newname_3

Thanks. I'm not quite sure about the building because the lady who was telling me about it talks a lot and very quickly! I don't think my council puts precise details of plans online so I will probably need to go to the town hall and have a look.

I know what you are saying about objecting if I am going to move anyway but moving on my own time scale would be less stressful than being served notice. At least then I could wait until I find something else I really liked. But I'm definitely going to talk to the other tenants and see if we can all put our objections in.

clutton_2

if you are going to move anyway - what is the point in wasting energy and time in objecting ?

newname_3

Duh, because if the application failed I could stay where I am which I am happy and would like to do as things stand.

Anyway turns out to be worse for me than I thought. I rang the council and got the application number. The landlord has put in to extend the building behind and convert the existing flats into two bedroom dwellings. I imagine there won't be much of a problem doing the latter even if they can't get planning permission for the extension bit. So yes I will have to move whether I like it or not. Oh the joys of secure renting in the private sector.