Albert63 Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 We have applied for planning permission to extend our bungalow turning it into a chalet style, whilst increasing the footprint on the ground floor. One of our neighbours has posted an objection with the council, which I have no problem with, I think that the issues they have we covered in our plans. However, they have posted letters to all of our other neighbours, with a copy of their objection and asking "Should you have any thoughts or comments to add weight to our objection, you can view the plans and comments online". Are they allowed to do this? Should I mention it to the planning officer/parish council etc... Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 1 minute ago, Albert63 said: Are they allowed to do this? I don’t know but don’t see why they can’t. Remember any objections have to stand the test of regulations, not just “I don’t like it”. We had a neighbour that objected to everything I did but none of them were applicable and we built what we wanted (eventually). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deancatherine09 Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 Gosh, they sound like a nightmare. Did you speak to the neighbours before you put the plans in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert63 Posted December 21, 2020 Author Share Posted December 21, 2020 A friend mentioned that they don't think they are allowed to encourage someone to make an objection. Their use of language would be a grey area in that context anyway. I haven't been able to find anything online to suggest they can or can't do it. We didn't no, they have been aggressive towards my partner in the past and also to our elderly neighbour (unrelated incidents), so didn't feel that we could have the conversation with them. I think we are ok in terms of their objects, potentially the only one being that they think it's out of character with the area, but i think thats subjective anyway. It will be taller, but should look similar to what it does now, plus we are on a road of houses and bungalows so there is a bit of a mishmash there anyway. Guess I was hoping to have an ace up my sleeve so to speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 20 minutes ago, Albert63 said: ... Are they allowed to do this? Yes. An experienced Planning Officer will simply ignore any comments which are deemed non- material. To lighten your mood, have a read of this post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epsilonGreedy Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 (edited) 39 minutes ago, Albert63 said: Are they allowed to do this? Edit: I misread the original post and thought the council contacted neighbours to promote an objection. In my part of the world Planning directly notify the nearest neighbours at the start of the planning review process. They also allow limited interactive dialogue via the comments, in one case they allowed the applicant to make a public interim response as a neighbour comment mid way through the public consultation period. Sounds like a procedural error by a junior planner in your case, they are working from home at the moment so less close supervision I guess. I would demand that the council issue a follow up letter explaining their previous letter should not be taken as their endorsement of the validity of the objection. Edited December 21, 2020 by epsilonGreedy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert63 Posted December 21, 2020 Author Share Posted December 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, epsilonGreedy said: Sounds like a procedural error Sorry, my confusion there. The council informed everyone of the matter in form of letter. The neighbour who objected, printed a copy of his objections (that he sent to the council) and hand delivered them to all of our neighbours asking for thoughts or comments to add weight to their objections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert63 Posted December 21, 2020 Author Share Posted December 21, 2020 9 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said: Yes. An experienced Planning Officer will simply ignore any comments which are deemed non- material. To lighten your mood, have a read of this post. I do enjoy these, will make my way through them all later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epsilonGreedy Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 Just now, Albert63 said: Sorry, my confusion there. The council informed everyone of the matter in form of letter. The neighbour who objected, printed a copy of his objections (that he sent to the council) and hand delivered them to all of our neighbours asking for thoughts or comments to add weight to their objections. Oh I see. Not much you can do about organized local resistance. How about informing the council that this has happened and asking if you can respond in the form of your own comment. In the case I am familiar with, the site plan labelled an upmarket man-cave as a "workshop". This provoked local objections about possible commercial engineering activity at a residential new build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jimbo Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 I think it is quite common. My neighbour canvassed about 20 local people to object, and most of them did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 In my experience, people get objection fatigue, so if you are refused or apply for a modified scheme, the numbers of objections tend to dwindle. On a recent site there were 3 applications within 6 months, all approved. The first was from the previous owner and got 8 objections, then one from us got 12 objections, a second from us got 1 objection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Albert63 said: We have applied for planning permission to extend our bungalow turning it into a chalet style, whilst increasing the footprint on the ground floor. One of our neighbours has posted an objection with the council, which I have no problem with, I think that the issues they have we covered in our plans. However, they have posted letters to all of our other neighbours, with a copy of their objection and asking "Should you have any thoughts or comments to add weight to our objection, you can view the plans and comments online". Are they allowed to do this? Should I mention it to the planning officer/parish council etc... Thanks in ad While there is nothing to stop them doing this With current planning laws All the objections will only delay the inevitable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 Yes they can. Not really any different to gossip down the pub. When I did my (bigger) one, there was a petition on the pub counter ?. With 300 signatures. Try and think about it as an episode rather than something that will undermine relationships. My immediate neighbour at the time said "you know we have to", which I disagree with but understand - he was getting a pedestrian refuge in the middle of the road nearly level with his entrance. It could even help improve the quality of your design ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 4 hours ago, Albert63 said: We have applied for planning permission to extend our bungalow turning it into a chalet style, whilst increasing the footprint on the ground floor. One of our neighbours has posted an objection with the council, which I have no problem with, I think that the issues they have we covered in our plans. However, they have posted letters to all of our other neighbours, with a copy of their objection and asking "Should you have any thoughts or comments to add weight to our objection, you can view the plans and comments online". Are they allowed to do this? Should I mention it to the planning officer/parish council etc... Thanks in advance Yes. Its called free speech. If there was a proposal to build a factory or erect a 400ft wind turbine next door to your house you would want the right to campaign against it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 Before we applied for PP I took my plans and artists impression drawings and knocked on all the neighbours doors to introduce myself and show them off. Also made visit to the head of the parish council who lived 10 houses down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitpipe Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Mr Punter said: In my experience, people get objection fatigue, so if you are refused or apply for a modified scheme, the numbers of objections tend to dwindle. On a recent site there were 3 applications within 6 months, all approved. The first was from the previous owner and got 8 objections, then one from us got 12 objections, a second from us got 1 objection. This is what happened with us - lots of objections for the first app (rejected) (including houses either side who we discussed plans with, fairly friendly with etc). Second (essentially same as first with minor tweaks) got a lot less and the third app (some changes made by us due to basement expansion) got zero. The reasons the planners used to reject the first bore no correlation to the objections raised by community comments - were technical in nature and easy to address. One neighbour who is a conveyancing solicitor wrote a ten page opus for which the planners needed to address each objection and acknowledge in their response. I suspect this irritates them somewhat and may be counter productive. I let all the objections wash over me as everyone is entitled to air their opinion and ultimately the planners will decide with defensible planning policy to which you can appeal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilDamo Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 As others have mentioned, neighbours are free to do and say what they want. Whether their comments or objections are material considerations that would influence the final outcome is another thing. As and when the Planning Officer comes to produce their report, they will list the number of representations along with a summary of those comments. So if a number of people have commented on similar issues, the PO will see that. If a number of people have objected, this could cause you a few issues as it may then trigger the application to be heard and determined at Committee. Some Council’s adopt similar rules so you’d need to check with your LPA. Or failing the above... one, two or a few neighbours may be friendly with a Local Councillor and would ask that it does go to Committee. However and irrespective of the above, try and think positive. It’s Christmas, nearly ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 I haven’t read all your post, life’s to short but I will add with mine I contacted neighbours and asked for letters of support, there is nothing stopping you doing a counter manoeuvre and canvassing for support get some nice copies of your plans done and invite anybody round who would like to look at your proposal. I dont know if it will hold any weight but worth a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epsilonGreedy Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 4 hours ago, Russell griffiths said: I haven’t read all your post, life’s to short but I will add with mine I contacted neighbours and asked for letters of support, there is nothing stopping you doing a counter manoeuvre and canvassing for support This would work in my village regardless of the merit of the planning application. There are so many schisms and cliques in the village some would support an application if members of another clique had made a critical submission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triassic Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I’m sure I read somewhere about a neighbour objection and when asked why they said they didn’t like the previous owners! People are often bored and some have nothing better to do. In my case I visited all me immediate neighbours with a copy of the plans and talked them through what was proposed and none objected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 10 hours ago, epsilonGreedy said: ...There are so many schisms and cliques in the village some would ... Planning Officers have thick skins: have to have. Rollo's dad (yes, Rollo of this Parish) - very large local land owner (and estate agent) took me aside one evening in the pub and said "The biggest mistake almost everyone makes is to assume that they have rights over the land they can see, as well as the land they own" Its building use that matters, nothing else. And what of Rollo? Working as a builder's mate. Top lad. Starting at the bottom. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Good to catch up on what Rollo is up to @ToughButterCup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyAlan Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I had similar problems when I applied for PP alongside my existing house. One neighbour (we called him Mr NIMBY) assured us he would stop our PP in its tracks. He knocked doors and got up a 39 signature petition to stop us. Nine neighbours attended the LA planning meeting and five of them (including Mr NIMBY) spoke against our application, as did their 'pet' councillor. The chairman of the comittee must have been sick of repeatedly saying, 'That is not a planning matter'. The outcome was: one vote against and 27 supporting our planning application - so comfortably approved. (NIMBY - Not In My Back yard) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Mr NIMBY needs to learn from Teddy Roosevelt: "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." I think if you had decided on the spot that you were not going to speak, they would not have been able to either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aConfusedNinja Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 Our neighbour was more personal and nocked on all the houses on our street to get them to object. Then they call family members who dont live on our street and asked them to also object. Got rather silly to be honest and the planning officer said it was very petty. He ignored them all as they were just 'i dont like' comments with no valid objection. We got ours approved 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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