To think that all new developments should have nosy parker signs for people like me.

[BumpNGrind]

Ok I admit it, I am a nosy parker. Not about people's lives particularly - that gets boring very quickly. But I love to know what's happening in my town and in the city where I work, especially where new building's or developments are concerned, not to complain, but because I like seeing new things coming to the area or areas getting improved I do realise how sad I am.

Walking through the park yesterday in the city yesterday, there was a area sectioned off with lots of people working and building something. I tried looking for a sign to see what they were doing but alas, nothing.

Also the retail park near where I live are converting the old Comet shop into something else. It's being extended to the front and a new floor added, but again no sign to tell people like me what's going there in it's place.

AIBU to think that new developments should let people know what's happening?

Ooh yes I'm like you and always want to know what they're going to be!

Couldn't agree more (sometimes your local council's planning website is your friend though - have you looked?).

And ruin the surprise?

This is where my kids used to come in handy

When they were little, I'd get them to ask these questions so it sounded like it was coming from them

Planning Portals are your friend. Search 'your council planning portal' and have a coffee whilst perusing the applications.

note, I in no way do this. Ever. Honest.

Great minds, Sisters. Nope, I never do that either.

Worra wouldn't bloody DD would they say, "my Mummy wants to know what you are building".

I've looked Bookie, absolutely nada and unfortunately as I'm expecting my first dc, it'll be a while until I can embroil any DC into my nosy parker antics!

Rumour started by my dm is that the comet is going to be a Debenhams.

More developments have perspex sections of the barrier to let you have a good nose these days.

Ohh look at you show off's with your efficient online planning systems. My Local authority planning department still clearly lives in the dark ages!

Yes they should tell us its in the public interest after all, my mum and a neighbour was chased of a building site in the 80s as a show home had just been finished they snuck(or is it sneaked) in after dark to peer through the windows security gaurd with big torch and dog chased them

Every bit of sold land building in our town has been an asda for the last 10 years still not got asda thats always the rumour, ooo did you here we are getting an asda

too true, some people in the village were doing something very odd and the builders were getting upset at all the questions, they could have just made a sign save everyone time.

MrsTerryPratchett yes, but by then I'm busy looking in the other direction

I'm married to a developer ducks to avoid flying objects though the sites he works on are generally for hundreds of houses rather than a few
It does make me rather interested in local planning though.

Sisters I'd love it if my DH were a bit more interested in the local area. He thinks I'm bonkers when we drive past a new development and I'm craning my neck to see what's going on.

Mine is the opposite bump he sees a field and gets all excited . If we drive past a development I get a run down of developer etc

I am quite naturally a nosey cow though so much like you I want to know whats happening. I've been following a house down the road who erected a kind of decked platform with steps to the rear of their house (you can walk along the back road). I'm guessing someone complained because one day when I was walking the dog there were people there taking pics. I had a nosey on the planning portal and they had submitted retrospective planning (basically means they'd built it, been nobbled then had to apply). It spent months going through various, fascinating appeals but in the end it was ordered for removal.

It's what local newspapers are for. Do you not have a local daily or weekly paper. I get most of my gossip information from there.

It always amazes me how many people say to me "how did you know that?" and I reply simply "It was in the paper"

A new bar is being opened in my town, they've gutted an old shop for it so the windows and doors have been boarded up for a while.

They have amazingly put a proper spy hole in the boarded up door so that nosy buggers can have a look to see what's going on inside! Bloody genius I think.

I'm really nosy and DH and are absolutely love an afternoon out going around all the new build developments looking at the show homes. I know it's sad.

bumpngrind do you live near fort kinnaird in edinburgh bu any chance ? The old comet there is getting refurbished. It's going to be a TK Maxx and a home senses next door.

8misskitty No, I'm in Wales, but I'd love it if the comet was being turned into a home sense, not sure my bank manager would though!

So going to buy my local paper from now on too. My local paper actually does a 'look who's been in court' section that dm loves but I'll have to look at the planning applications.

Our council puts plans online... It's amazing! Love looking at how other people have modified their houses, especially the ones that started off similar to ours, and daydreaming what we could do if we ever had the money.

Yes, planning applications are always in the local paper. If you've missed the one you're interested in, just ring the Planning Department at the local Council and ask what's happening on the site you are interested in. It's not a secret.

I work for a local paper and we always feature new developments. They are also popular stories for debate on our website about how our towns need/don't need things that are being planned.

Our old Comet is currently being turned into a TKMAXX too!