Anyone here ever dealt with their local council over planning permission?

[sith-smith]

Having a few problems with mine

Had plans drawn up by an architect. Took them down to speak to the duty planning officer who told me that virtually none of it was permissible...even though I had photos of loads of houses in the neighbourhood who had done exactly what I wanted to do.

So have been told I had to get plans completely redesigned...which mean I have to pay more to the architect!

I thought the government had tried to make planning permission less strict!

 

[weasel]

Dealt with planners over here and in Newcastle (about 10years ago). Gotta say English planners are a million times easier to deal with. Over here they just don't give a ****. You ask them questions and they ignore you, if they do reply it's just to say "submit". Then you do and it gets rejcted for the daftest reason. I've heard of plans being rejcted cos the windows were square. I mean WTF shape are they supposed to be!?
Why not say "we'll pass IF, and only if, you change the shape of the windows?" But no. Rejected. Resubmit. Foot the bill.

English planners will normally meet with you to discuss and say what you can and can't do. I'd say if your neighbours have all done what you wanna do you should be ok. It could just be a jobs worth. The Planning office does seem to attract little hitlers. Speak to your architect ask him/her if they think you need to redraw or if you just got a little hitler. Maybe ask some of your neighbours if they had problems. It may be you don't necessarily need planning permission. Velux windows etc can normally go in unless you live in a conservation area or a listed building.
I got the phone number of a guy in planning control in Newcastle and bohnced ideas off him, he was great. You might be able to try the same if you can get contact details for one of them.

 

[theforceuk]

If their's houses in your area that have done the same then I don't see a problem. Also a good architect will know what is worth submitting and thought this through when designing. Objections can't just be made because someone at the planning office does not like the look of the plans they have to have reasonable cause for objection. Do you live in an AONB? If so then you do have to be carefull, leave your door shut for to long and you'll need planning permission to open it. :roll: Go back to the planning officer and ask him/her what changes need to be made to make it permissible (if you haven't already) and then get the architect to change them, which should not cost a lot and probably save you money in the long run. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[TwistedMetal]

Hi Gary,

Sorry to hear about this mate but by the sounds of things that guy sounds like abit of a turkey, the best way I've always found is to pay the architect to submit the plans for you, you tend to find in the building trade there are many tosspots me included but joking aside some people in planning are decent and some are up there own arses as are building control, if you type into google ' planning portal' there is loads of stuff to look at there which could highlight why he said what he did, anyway mate hope it gets sorted.

 

[_Lee_]

Think its got something to do with a big brown envelope

Gary, i know the planning in London is nuts anywhere, so that may be your problem.

 

[SublevelStudios]

Provincial planners are much easier to deal with than inner city ones in my experience. My dealings with the last one were brilliant, he couldn't do enough for us.

Without seeing the plans and seeing the immediate surroundings I would hazard a guess and say you are probably dealing with a numb nuts Gary

 

[sith-smith]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think what's annoyed me the most is the fact that there are so many properties with extensions exactly like the one I'm proposing yet I'm not allowed.

They woman I spoke to said they were tightening up things.

Seems annoyingly unfair.

 

[theforceuk]

Have you considered doing an extension which does not need planning permission, or is it not worth it?

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/extensions/

 

[sith-smith]

Some of the extension I've had already didn't require permission, but what I wanted to have done next definitely will.

Frustration lies in the fact that there are clearly other others that have been allowed to do it yet when I showed them pictures of theses houses they simply said we don't allow that now!


Did anyone pick up much from the latest budget about changes to planning permission? Wondering if it's worth holding off for a bit and see what develops there

 

[Mr-shifter]

You could try this.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2822108/Honeycrock-Farmhouse-secretly-built-castle-faces-demolision-unless-owner-Robert-Fidler-convinces-planning-inspector-property-serves-agricultural-need.html

I have seen this house firsthand. It is the most ridiculous construction you could imagine.

 

[Clarkspie&chips]

If you have planning rejected you can appeal afterwards.
It does sound like you're dealing with a bit of a bellend though as most planners will be keen to discuss the project and meet in the middle.
Did you employ your architect to complete he drawings only or to do the submission too?
I've used a planning consultant in the past which was a bit expensive but he was onto the planners daily to make sure everything was ok.
To what extent do they want to change the plans? I'm not an architect but if you can get hold of the original CAD files I'd be happy to do a few tweaks for you.