Planning Nightmare
Discussion
A decade ago I moved into a village my partner and I love. Now with a growing family we're looking to extend. In doing so we had a number of drawings completed and we chose the one which would have the least impact on our neighbours - a two storey 2.5m extension in the middle of our plot (low pitch) - 4m from our neighbours on each side. The extension would extend just 60cm beyond the end of our neighbours single-storey extension (as I said 4m away). We provided neighbours with the plans and then later discussed them ahead of submission - we had their full blessing.
Having submitted the plans I was approached in the garden by one neighbour who said they had changed their minds. Light through a side window of their extension which peaks over the top of our 1.8m fence would be blocked - they wanted us not to extend (the actual comment was put the extension on the other neighbours side...). I spoke to the architect and I reassured the neighbour we'd find a solution - we almost stopped planning there and then, instead choosing to make changes after a verdict (in any direction).
Since then I've been dragged into a village meeting where strips were literally torn off me - wild shaking of paper by people who had no right to be there or even lived in the village. My partner has been subjected to verbal abuse outside the local school. We've currently more objections than anything else in the district...everything referencing our poor neighbours, the fact they're 5th generation villagers, lived there for 40 years and that our house shouldn't increase in size quoting any and every planning law people can find. One villager has told us we'll never get any plans through and some (everyone of these are retired people with nothing else to do) have actively gone around the village asking for more objections.
Despite the above I've continued to reassure and have made efforts to sit down with objectors asking them what they wish to see instead. However, to say we feel unwelcome here is an understatement. No one cares we've kids in a building without modern electrics, plumbing, insulation or reliable boiler - the fact we have asbestos almost everywhere - that we've just 15 square meters of living space for a family of four.
I'd be really interested to hear what the PH collective would do in our situation. We've done everything we can to be considerate but had no consideration back. I'm not an a
hole but suspect I've been too nice. Should I treat them with the same contempt? Should I not care and just build the extension we need (not the one we went to planning with)?
Having submitted the plans I was approached in the garden by one neighbour who said they had changed their minds. Light through a side window of their extension which peaks over the top of our 1.8m fence would be blocked - they wanted us not to extend (the actual comment was put the extension on the other neighbours side...). I spoke to the architect and I reassured the neighbour we'd find a solution - we almost stopped planning there and then, instead choosing to make changes after a verdict (in any direction).
Since then I've been dragged into a village meeting where strips were literally torn off me - wild shaking of paper by people who had no right to be there or even lived in the village. My partner has been subjected to verbal abuse outside the local school. We've currently more objections than anything else in the district...everything referencing our poor neighbours, the fact they're 5th generation villagers, lived there for 40 years and that our house shouldn't increase in size quoting any and every planning law people can find. One villager has told us we'll never get any plans through and some (everyone of these are retired people with nothing else to do) have actively gone around the village asking for more objections.
Despite the above I've continued to reassure and have made efforts to sit down with objectors asking them what they wish to see instead. However, to say we feel unwelcome here is an understatement. No one cares we've kids in a building without modern electrics, plumbing, insulation or reliable boiler - the fact we have asbestos almost everywhere - that we've just 15 square meters of living space for a family of four.
I'd be really interested to hear what the PH collective would do in our situation. We've done everything we can to be considerate but had no consideration back. I'm not an a
hole but suspect I've been too nice. Should I treat them with the same contempt? Should I not care and just build the extension we need (not the one we went to planning with)?Thank you for the reply - I will take your advice onboard.
Equus said:
If you require further professional support (I run a combined Planning and Architectural Design consultancy), contact me via my profile.
We're going to see what the verdict is but I will certainly keep you in mind - a second professional opinion on our plans would be very useful. Equus said:
Try not to let it get as far as a refusal, if you can - talk to the Planning Case Officer after the 4 week consultation period is up, and try to stay in the loop with them... if it starts to look like a refusal, it may be better to withdraw the application and rethink it.
I'll certainly do this - is this as soon as comments close for the public?jas xjr said:
Spread rumours that if you do not get planning permission,you will rent the house to asylum seekers. Or even me 
Seriously, good luck,hope it works out for you
Ha ha, I wouldn't wish that on asylum seekers. Seriously, good luck,hope it works out for you
Thank you for the kind words, appreciated.Equus said:
Yes.
Most Planners don't even start looking at an application until they've got all the comments back (though 'professional' comments from statutory consultees like Highways carry much more weight than public comments or parish council busybodies), but you need to start communicating with them as soon as you can after that, and stay in touch without making a nuisance of yourself, to nip any issues in the bud.
Again, thank you. Most Planners don't even start looking at an application until they've got all the comments back (though 'professional' comments from statutory consultees like Highways carry much more weight than public comments or parish council busybodies), but you need to start communicating with them as soon as you can after that, and stay in touch without making a nuisance of yourself, to nip any issues in the bud.
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