To late for a planner?

[vik2001]

Quick recap. I started building works as was advised by builder it fell under PD. Later realised needed planning permission so halted all works. Only laid floor in extension area no actual bricks laid above base level.

 

I then got submitted full planning application via a architect to do things properly hoping it can help rectify the situation before matters got worse. Im worried it could get rejected and left quids out of pocket. Is it worth me getting a private planner on board now to help speaking with the council before they make a decision , will it help or should I leave it?

[nod]

I’d hold back 

I think your more likely to get a visit from Building Control wanting to look at the foundation 

[vik2001]

Just now, nod said:

I’d hold back 

I think your more likely to get a visit from Building Control wanting to look at the foundation 

They already looked at foundations as they were involved and passed it.

[nod]

9 minutes ago, vik2001 said:

They already looked at foundations as they were involved and passed it.

Then just wait for your app to be passed Ours are around 12 weeks still 

Covid of course 

[Bozza]

I think what goes in your favour is that as soon as you realised / suspected it didn’t fall under PD you stopped immediately and presumably fessed up to the planners and have now put in an application.  At the other end of the scale are people who deliberately ignore planning laws like that farmer who built a house without PP and hid it behind hay bails.  Or Capt Toms dodgy family spa.  Though planners follow rules etc like anyone in a decision making position it’s difficult not to be influenced by human factors and perception.   

 

The risk could be at this stage is if you you utilise a consultant you may be perceived as someone who knew the proposed build was questionable/ borderline from the outset and as such it wasn’t and innocent mistake.  Which is why you didn’t apply for PP.  They may think you’re at it and a consultant told you “no chance” so you went ahead anyway until “caught out”.

 

If it were me I’d just let the planner make their decision,  if your PP application didn’t include a full explanation of what went wrong, I’d just put in a letter explaining this with suitable apology.

 

I have never worked in planning, but I did have a long career in a job that involved granting licensing and legislative applications.  We used to work positively with erroneous applicants who made innocent mistakes and helped them navigate the application process.  Those whose integrity was in question often found that their applications failed.  Decision makers are not dafties and it’s quite apparent when someone, or a company is at it, or when someone has made a faux pas.

 

You need to assure the planners you haven’t been at it with this build.  You don’t need to pay a consultant to do that.

 

Your post will generate opinion based upon experience and others may advise differently but if it were me that’s what I’d do.   Based upon the assumption that your build isn’t something that would clearly never stand a chance of getting PP because it clearly breaches local planning rules.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Temp]

Perhaps tell us more about what you are building and why it needs Planning Permission?

 

 

[Bozza]

1 minute ago, Temp said:

Perhaps tell us more about what you are building and why it needs Planning Permission?

 

 

See his previous posts.

[vik2001]

Just building a side extension attaching to a existing garage.

 

Yea that's good advice, may not worry about getting a consultant at this stage, it was just to merely help explain what happened. I didn't provide any explanation in the application that we halted work due to finding out about needing PP.

Edited March 16 by vik2001

[DevilDamo]

There isn’t anything a consultant can do. It’s now in the hands of the LPA so you will just have to ride it out.

[vik2001]

OK thanks guys for all the input and suggestions.  Will just wait it out..