We submitted a planning application and received permission for a small single storey rear extension (standard extension on a 90s housing estate, would fall under permitted development but we’re making some other small changes so put the whole lot on one application). One of the neighbours objected (as is their right) but with no real basis in terms of planning.
My issue is that when I checked the planning department website I saw two more comments from the parish council and a local society affiliated with the council. The language used was very similar to the neighbour’s and the two comments were almost identical. It is highly unusual for the council to object to minor householder applications, and the society was not even consulted in the planning process. So someone went out of their way to find our application and comment on it. I suspect this is due to the neighbour.
I was very upset when I saw that the council comments. For the parish council to go after us in this way seems to me completely outrageous. Even the planning officer noted in the decision report that their objection had no basis in planning law.
I want to write to our local councillor (politely) to find out why the council had opposed our extension. However, my dh is completely against it as he thinks it would put a target on our backs. He says we got planning permission so I should just forget about it. It ended with a row as dh thinks I’m stirring the pot unnecessarily.
However, it doesn’t sit right with me that someone used their position on the parish council to try to help their mate against us. Obviously I wouldn’t make any accusations without proof, but AIBU to write to the council about this?