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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Council opposed our planning application

30 replies

AlbatrosStrike · 12/12/2023 20:21

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?

OP posts:

Soontobe60 · 12/12/2023 20:30

Honestly, why does it matter? Everyone is entitled to oppose a planning application and many do so as a group so their objections may look the same. Maybe your neighbours sister in law is shagging someone on the parish council so they asked them to do a favour and object.

LIZS · 12/12/2023 20:32

Parish Council comments carry no more weight than any individuals and it is entirely possible that a parish councillor is on the other body. You don't have to be a consultee to comment. Has the planning authority determined it yet?

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 12/12/2023 20:34

Just forget about it. You got the permission. I could have written and objected to your permission, anyone has that right, they don't have to live right next to you.

CalpolOnToast · 12/12/2023 20:38

What does it say in the parish council minutes?
No one councillor is supposed to make decisions on what the PC will support or not on their own.

If they've put in comments with no material basis all they've done is make themselves look foolish to the planning authority who will take less notice of them next time.

moaningstoatpoacher · 12/12/2023 20:38

No you would absolutely not be unreasonable to write and ask about this - they're your parish council too. Maybe the person who objected wrote to them, and that was the only voice they heard about the application. Maybe the objector turned up at a meeting and spoke about why they were against your application.

Its a good idea to go to a parish council meeting if your application is being discussed there - your council will hold public meetings where they discuss all applications. Then you can have your voice heard too. As for listening to their mates - your parish council is made up of volunteers, people just like you in your community, and they should make decisions based on proper planning law, but they're also allowed to have views about things, which might also be those of their mates. The best way to deal with this kind of nepotism... join the council yourself!

fixies · 12/12/2023 20:39

Forget it. Parish councils will make representations to support their constituents. They might also have an interest in controlling development in their area. For instance they might want extensions to be limited to certain locations.

They should know better to waste their time on a householder scheme thsts largely ok under pd!

Gymnopedie · 12/12/2023 20:41

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.

If PP was granted anyway, just leave it. You've had your best revenge!

ethelredonagoodday · 12/12/2023 20:44

As others have said, the parish council comments will be given little if any weight and ultimately the local planning authority have approved it your application, so I'd just ignore the other comments.

Fizzadora · 12/12/2023 20:49

Your parish council has to publish the minutes of its meetings, most have a website so they are usually on there or you can ask the Parish Clerk for a copy of the one where your application was on the agenda, so I would have a look there first (unless it was discussed in Part B in which case you can't see it but that's usually only where it's something contentious).

ArchetypalBusyMum · 12/12/2023 20:50

I'd leave it. They've either done it in good faith under the role of representation after being persuaded by a strong argument from a member of their parish, or, they're in each others pockets and have done it to scratch their back... Whichever it is you gain nothing from having a go.

At best you could enquire why they felt the need to step in on this particular issue, but in an open minded way and then take it from there depending what they say.

But accusing them of (attempting to) misusing their influence isn't going to get you anywhere.

ActDottie · 12/12/2023 20:51

You got planning permission so I’d just get on with it and be smug that their objections didn’t prevent you getting permission.

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 12/12/2023 20:52

You might be cross about the comments but you 'won'.

They will be far more cross than you.

So relish that and then let it go.

TooManyFatCats · 12/12/2023 20:59

Yes, no doubt the objector will have had a friend or relative on the Parish Council. I've seen it on our local one where when someone has their "Uncle" etc on the Parish Council they will support all their Planning applications/object to rivals. Ours is a toxic environment where one person who is very bossy and has been on it for years runs it as their show, if one of the Councillors leave they co-opt a pal on who will do what they want. The Meeting Minutes of ours are only a very broad outline of what has been said, I agree with a PP who says in future to attend, it's the only way to know for sure what has been said and by whom.

StarlightLime · 12/12/2023 21:07

Even the planning officer noted in the decision report that their objection had no basis in planning law
This is quite difficult to believe, tbh.

Anyone and everyone can object, on any grounds; their objection isn't usually public commented on by the planning committee? 🤔

Original poster

AlbatrosStrike · 12/12/2023 21:10

Thank you all for the replies. I know that ultimately nothing will come of it and we got our PP.

I’ve searched the parish council website but they haven’t published any minutes for recent meetings so I don’t know if our application was discussed openly. Tbh I’d be surprised if it had as there must be dozens of similar applications every month in the area they cover. I also know that they haven’t opposed an identical extension down our road a couple of months ago as they commented that they did not oppose it.

I understand that anyone can comment and I also understand that people are emotionally invested in their homes. I really was not bothered at all about the neighbour’s comments. I just didn’t expect the council to parrot the same baseless objection.

OP posts:

Leafysuburb · 12/12/2023 21:15

Why do you think people join the parish council? A small percentage might want to do good and uphold democracy but 97% are there because they're busybodies with nothing better to do.

AlwaysForksAndMarbles · 12/12/2023 21:16

StarlightLime · 12/12/2023 21:07

Planning officers aren’t the planning committee - they are planners, who know the law and guidance, and mostly make delegated decisions on planning permission. Their report will absolutely set out objections and whether or not any objections are based in planning law, because planners can only take planning law and government guidance into account when making decisions or recommendations.

The local authority planning committee is made up of elected members (councillors), and an officer’s report will be put before them to set out the case and make a recommendation to them if planning committee is to consider the application. Councillors should, but don’t always, make decisions based only on planning law and government guidance.

moaningstoatpoacher · 12/12/2023 21:19

Your application certainly would have been discussed openly as public meetings are the only places in which parish councillors can take decisions, and they can only do things (e.g. object to planning applications) by majority vote during those meetings. They are obliged by law to publish minutes.

How much does this situation really annoy you? I'd certainly be irritated in your situation and I would probably write to them, but then I'm a bit of a nagging busybody who can't let things go...

moaningstoatpoacher · 12/12/2023 21:20

Oh and ignore @Leafysuburb , that's just not true

mumda · 12/12/2023 21:21

Council's don't like getting sued when they object.

Nolan principles may have been breached here though.a thorough investigation needed and subject access request.

Then sue the frickers.

Raincloudsonasunnyday · 12/12/2023 21:23

What would you do with the information when you have it, if you chase this up? What good would any of this do?

Just leave well alone. People are entitled to object, and you’re entitled to not like that. But that’s the end of it.

ethelredonagoodday · 12/12/2023 21:29

@AlwaysForksAndMarbles has it right.

mindutopia · 12/12/2023 21:30

The parish council always objects. It’s pretty much all they do. Ours has objected to every planning application we’ve ever submitted, even though they literally impact no one (we live that remotely that no one would even notice if we built the damn thing without planning!). In one objection they even claimed that there were dead bodies buried on the property and they could be disturbed by building works. There are no dead bodies here as far as we know 🤷🏻‍♀️ and certainly no historical records of any graves. But of course they’d object, it’s their job. We just laughed it off.

BettyBakesCakes · 12/12/2023 21:37

Is it unusual? My neighbour recently applied for PP and our town council made a comment. I assumed that they were also also sent a letter as we've have no contact with them.

jemenfous37 · 13/12/2023 07:42

This is why village/small town life is so horrid. Parish councils, church-y busybodies, WI, Rotary, golf club, all the same people ar same events, busy in each others lives...
Yes, someone objected on grounds you don't agree with. But why make this into a thing? You have your planning permission, so what?
Or do you want to name and shame

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