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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To object to planning

25 replies

passmethebiscuit · 09/12/2023 21:50

long story short but we have a house on a hill with a beautiful view, think sunsets, mary poppins rooftops etc into rolling hills. The reason we purchased the house 5 years ago. It brings me huge joy. came home on Monday to find neighbour has applied for planning permission to build a 4 story extension on their house which will block our views (our house in victorian so views been there a while) and mean we look instead at a brick wall (no windows) extending alongside half our garden.We are devastated and have objected on the grounds of over development. the extension applied for is bigger than the original house.
Found out today that the plans are likely to just be ‘rubber stamped’ as planning was given previously in 2012 when the house was owned-by the chair of the town planning commitee…it didn't go ahead as these owners got divorced and moved on. However as previously these plans were approved it is likely to be approved again. I am heartbroken. I love those views & everyday i watch the sun rise (i get up early) & set and it has given me huge comfort in dark days. we cant afford to move and love our house, Am i reasonable to feel so sad? for context its a 2 bed house being turned into 5 beds with expected works to take 2 years through my child's GCSE years. (digging out and stabalising a house built in a hill).
make me feel better i cant stop crying and neighbours not the approachable type. (park across our drive as they dont have one & suggest i should consider parking elsewhere if i need to go in & out 😆 )

OP posts:
Aphroditee · 09/12/2023 21:52

Diagram?

Will the extension block your whole view? If so, YANBU to object.

DisforDarkChocolate · 09/12/2023 21:54

Get yourself a planning consultant.

justalittlesnoel · 09/12/2023 21:54

YANBU to be upset - but it's the age old advice of don't buy a house for a view you don't own. If it was previously approved I would imagine it might get approved again. If you've got the time and energy it might be worth speaking with someone who can offer professional advice on your best grounds for appeal?

mindutopia · 09/12/2023 21:58

Absolutely object to it. But I truly can’t imagine it will get through that easily.

We are trying to rebuild a barn on the existing footprint of an old barn (foundation and some walls standing). We live on a farm. It’s literally just a normal one story barn to be used for storing agricultural stuff. Doesn’t block anyone view. No one can even see it but us as no road, no near neighbours and it’s been quite a challenge. Been refused twice now. 🙈

But yes, hire a planning consultant and get the local parish council on side if you’ve got one.

Leo227 · 09/12/2023 22:03

you'll need to find a valid reason to object (check planning Info online as there are only certain things u can object about and loss of a view isn't one of them).

Tinkerbyebye · 09/12/2023 22:08

Planning rules have changed since 2012 so it may not just be rubber stamped. Look at the plans, look at them against the councils local plan if they have one you maybe able to find policies they don’t meet. Or get a planning consultant to help you, it will cost money but maybe worth it

Runninghappy · 09/12/2023 22:10

You need to be very clear in your objection which ones of the council policies they are breaching with the plans.

Original poster
passmethebiscuit · 09/12/2023 22:13

we completely understand not to buy a house for a view & do understand the reasons they want to extend. (not many want a 2 bed cottage) but equally we felt that if a neighbour ever extends that it would not be do large or affect is us (the houses are staggered so they could build a sizeable extension without impacting us but no they want a 70% increase on the floorplan of the cottage. Genuinely believe a reasonable person and planner would be sympathetic to not devalue a neighours house & mean their kitchen and lounge view becomes a 4 story wall. what is a planning consultant and how do i find one by Tuesday - yes no planning notices displayed and letter turned up weeks after the date on it (thanks royal mail).

OP posts:
Catmummyof2 · 09/12/2023 22:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

VWT5 · 09/12/2023 22:19

As others say above, find a planning consultant, ask around (e.g. sometimes ex Council Planning Officers become self employed and can be engaged on your behalf.

How close is it to your boundary and house wall….there are rules about that that may assist your case.

Words like “overbearing” and “dominant” might be useful to your case.

Previously it was possible to go in and meet informally with the Council Planning Officers for a chat, not sure if this is still possible.

Are there neighbours similarly affected ?….who could help your case.

The lack of parking / traffic / access and turning might be helpful to you too (in relation to a 5 bed etc)

44PumpLane · 09/12/2023 22:21

I have no useful input but just want to come on and say a 4 storey extension seems absolutely bloody outrageous!!!!

Original poster
passmethebiscuit · 09/12/2023 22:22

Thank you i will call a few Monday & see if i can afford any of them…

OP posts:
Original poster
passmethebiscuit · 09/12/2023 22:28

agreed at what point do you think ‘i will buy a 2 bed house, dig out a basement go into the loft & then extend on the back over the 4 floors’ .

OP posts:
Neighneigh · 09/12/2023 22:47

Someone might advise better than me but make sure you check if there's a yellow poster on any nearby lampposts etc - the council has to advertise the fact that an application has been submitted. I'm not sure if writing to residents covers them.

Agree with others though, you can't just object on view / light blocking grounds or they'll ignore it. You need to find other examples from you own LA where similar applications have been made, and why they were accepted/turned down. Consultant wise you need someone who specialises in small scale residential. Which LA are you in?

Pawfull · 09/12/2023 22:47

The first step is to email the case officer and request an extension to the decision, explain the letter arrived late and you’re engaging a planning consultant. Do this by email and copy your councillors in. An old property may be a heritage asset and may have bats - these issues will slow decision making.
The government favour development and penalise council’s who don’t approve planning permission and identify land for housing developments, it is a national policy.

Userxyd · 10/12/2023 02:43

I thought blocking light was grounds to refuse planning? Depending which side they are vs sun that might help.
Sounds awful - would their neighbours the other side have the same problem? Might be worth teaming up? X

LickleLamb · 10/12/2023 06:19

Planners here are very hot on adequate parking - a 5 bed would need at least 2parking spaces surely.

billysboy · 10/12/2023 06:24

If one storey is I. The basement and the other in the loft it is 2 storey above ground

speak to a planning consultant

Guest234562 · 10/12/2023 06:29

Have a look at your areas planning website. In mine it’s got guidance for applications which includes parking spaces per bedroom and that you can’t more thsn double an original house

rwalker · 10/12/2023 06:53

If I’ve got this right it’s a 2 storey cottage

they plan to put a basement in and a loft conversion making it 4 storey house
so the basement will have no impact on your view there are 2 existing storeys and they are converting the loft so that will been as tall as existing ridge not sure How this is going impact your views

Zanatdy · 10/12/2023 07:11

passmethebiscuit · 09/12/2023 22:28

agreed at what point do you think ‘i will buy a 2 bed house, dig out a basement go into the loft & then extend on the back over the 4 floors’ .

Guessing because they bought the house for the views like you, and thought they could then make it into the dream home they want. I can’t imagine it would be approved if it means your whole view is blocked.

Original poster
passmethebiscuit · 10/12/2023 07:21

they are then extending out the back the length of half our garden up the 4 stories so we cant see past it as we sit back if that makes sense …will attempt a plan

OP posts:
ducktape · 10/12/2023 08:00

YANBU I would be devastated too. However, you need to object on grounds that are relevant to local planning policy- echo PPs recommendations to engage a specialist to help with objecting. I work in an area that is linked with planning permission - I read many objections, but very few that actually go in to the substance of planning policy and that force a planning authority to make an evidenced assessment and justify why the development should still go ahead. The presumption is always in favour of development. Prepare for worst however - if this is what your neighbours want to do , at best it might end up a scaled-back version.

TheSuggestedAmendment · 10/12/2023 08:05

DisforDarkChocolate · 09/12/2023 21:54

Get yourself a planning consultant.

This is good advice. You can test how much you are upset with it by seeing how much you are willing to pay for a planning consultant or planning lawyer. Yes, they are expensive but they may get it canned OR an amendment to planning that could, eg, bring the building down from four storeys to two.

CormorantStrikesBack · 10/12/2023 08:05

I feel your pain but sadly it may well go through.

the neighbour at the bottom of us has just got outline planning permission to cram a second house in their very normal size garden. A foot from our boundary. I objected on traffic and parking grounds but they’ve got outline permission granted.

the planning officer at the council were mistified that we were objecting (lots of neighbours did) and said he would 100% get it whatever we said.

neighbour has now threatened us all and said if we object to his detailed planning permission “he will fucking burn us out”.

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