Speaking to Planning Committees - 3mins only!

Speaking to Planning Committees - 3mins only!

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5MUG

Original Poster:

734 posts

277 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
quotequote all
Hi
does anyone have any general advice for addressing a Planning Committee. We have managed to get our plans (small extension and internal works on listed building) before the local authority planning Committee in Dec. The planning officers have said they will recommend refusal and we have 3 minutes to speak! Eeek, we have an idea of what we (husband) will say but I wondered if anyone has any advice or experience to offer?
Thanks S

herbialfa

1,489 posts

215 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
quotequote all
Address the chairman first then members of the committee,

"Good evening/ morning chair and members" etc

Have you the support of the local parish council?

Have you the support of your local councillor?

The above 2 would be great to be on your side!


List well before the meeting what you want to say. Type it & time it! there is nothing worse at a meeting than someone rushing through a speech.

Its not as daunting as it sounds!!!!


Piglet

6,250 posts

268 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
quotequote all
The pleasantries are easy. You need to convince the committee of why they should recommend when their officers are recommending refusal.

Why is the planning officer recommending refusal? You need to understand what the objections are and then deal with them in the time that you have.

What are the issues?

herbialfa

1,489 posts

215 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
quotequote all
You should be able to see the committee report (online) well before the meeting, along with objections etc1

Simpo Two

88,603 posts

278 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
quotequote all
Three minutes. That's pathetic, seeing as they go home at 4.00pm and then get a final salary pension...

herbialfa

1,489 posts

215 months

Tuesday 17th November 2009
quotequote all
Some L.A. do 3 minutes some 5 minutes.

As I said if you have the parish on your side they are allowed 3/5 minutes then the public speak. Councillors however are not timed.

Hence at this stage the importance of them being on your side!

TooLateForAName

4,880 posts

197 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Planning are opposed? What about the conservation officer and english heritage?
What level of listing ?
What are the reasons being given for the recommendation for refusal?

JulianHJ

8,825 posts

275 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
It's only two minutes at my council. I missed the opportunity to speak against a development yesterday, but I'm not sure what the next step is if it has been approved. I'm just waiting on a call back from the council as to the decision.

Busamav

2,954 posts

221 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
5MUG said:
Hi
The planning officers have said they will recommend refusal
Firstly I would be trying to address their concerns about the application , even to the point where I would sometimes withdraw it and resubmit.

It is unusual for a decision to go against the planners recomendations , so you will need to lobby the local councilor and members of the committee.

You do need to demonstrate why the planners recomendation is incorrect , 3 minutes will go quickly so stay on legitimate planning grounds .

Simpo Two

88,603 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Busamav said:
5MUG said:
The planning officers have said they will recommend refusal
Firstly I would be trying to address their concerns about the application , even to the point where I would sometimes withdraw it and resubmit.

It is unusual for a decision to go against the planners recomendations , so you will need to lobby the local councilor and members of the committee.

You do need to demonstrate why the planners recomendation is incorrect , 3 minutes will go quickly so stay on legitimate planning grounds .
Maybe find out how Tesco do it!

Ali_D

1,115 posts

297 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Busamav said:
5MUG said:
The planning officers have said they will recommend refusal
Firstly I would be trying to address their concerns about the application , even to the point where I would sometimes withdraw it and resubmit.

It is unusual for a decision to go against the planners recomendations , so you will need to lobby the local councilor and members of the committee.

You do need to demonstrate why the planners recomendation is incorrect , 3 minutes will go quickly so stay on legitimate planning grounds .
Maybe find out how Tesco do it!
Offering to build a new sports centre for the town is probably a little OTT for a house extension.

Simpo Two

88,603 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Good point. Maybe he could sponsor a speed hump - they'd like that...

Alex

9,978 posts

297 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Good point. Maybe he could sponsor a speed hump - they'd like that...
I don't know why they are called speed humps; if anything they slow you down.

eps

6,491 posts

282 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Talk to the person who is arranging the times and order of cases being heard. Ask them for advice and information, plus the paperwork supporting the cases to be heard.

Make sure you turn up on time, even if they say it doesn't matter.

Prepare beforehand. Read the report and the hearing report. Make sure you register to talk at the meeting, or register a.n.other to talk in the meeting on your behalf. It's a public meeting but only those registered to talk will be able to talk. Only appoint one person, 3 minutes is not long enough for more than one person to talk for. In the end don't waffle, if you don't use all of the 3 minutes, so be it.

I guess you will be "answering" the Planning Officer's case against you, therefore you will _only_ be able to respond to the points raised by them. Try and list those points you think or know (from the refusal) before the meeting and then note them or star them during their 3 minutes.

Stick to the 3 minutes, they won't allow you to go over.

It's not LA Law or similar so you won't be making some largesse speach about being persecuted and human rights, etc.. Stick to the facts and attempt to knock them on the head or at the very least ensure that you plant seeds of doubt in the committee.

What are the objections precisely? Feel free to PM.

Boosted LS1

21,198 posts

273 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Why can they impose a limit as short as that in the first place? Aren't they meant to be our representatives or public servants?

d8evo

20 posts

271 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
without seeing any of the detail, it is dangerous to offer advice, but if the planning officer is recommending refusal, I am assuming the conservation officer is also against the proposal. If this is the case, I would seriously consider withdrawing the proposal before committee and discuss the objections in detail in order to resubmit, because it is unlikely that you will overturn the officer recommedation. If you wish to proceed you must have the support of your local councillor and parish council. Your local councillor must be prepared to speak at committee as well, they are not limited to 3 minutes (usually), and can lobby the committee members beforehand.

good luck

eps

6,491 posts

282 months

Wednesday 18th November 2009
quotequote all
Boosted LS1 said:
Why can they impose a limit as short as that in the first place? Aren't they meant to be our representatives or public servants?
Objector gets 3 minutes.

Responder gets 3 minutes.

Shouldn't need more than that to be honest. They usually have a number of them to get through.

Before both parties talk, the clerk shows the relevant photos and information in the committee pack.

After this, points are discussed at length by the committee members and then a vote is taken (for, against, abstain). Majority "wins" it.

5MUG

Original Poster:

734 posts

277 months

Wednesday 25th November 2009
quotequote all
Thank you all so much for your advice. Our date is 2nd Dec so we are busy preparing. My husband is reading out a statement as I dont trust myself not to get cross! S