JohnHunter

Thank you in advance for helping a newcomer! We would like to construct a pair of electric gates (maximum height 2m) at the front of our drive. We have asked our local council who say that we require planning permission first. We haven't asked for planning permission before but I am not clear about: If we say the gates would be 2m at their highest point but this is considered "too high" and the council would only accept 1.8m, do they have to reject the application so that westart the process again? Or can they give us an opportunity to modify the application? If we specify a detail (e.g. hardwood posts), are we bound to this? If so, is it worth keeping the application deliberately vague (e.g. "wooden posts" rather than specifying "hardwood" or even "oak")? Is it acceptable to provide alternatives in the application. For example, when the form asks about materials, is it acceptable to state that the posts will be made of "hardwood (oak or iroko) or treated softwood". This would be preferable as it gives us room to amend the specification depending on price and which contractors are available in the future. Most people who request planning permission from our local council then have all their application documents posted online. This means that searching their name on Google immediate brings up their home address. I work in a role that makes this particularly unhelpful. Is there a way of asking that such details do not appear indefinitely online or is this part of some sort of transparency obligation? Any help would be very welcome!