Parish Planning Committee refusing access to me viewing neighbours objections to my planning application

[mulranno]

can they do this -- planning has been refused at local parish level - we wish to appeal and would like to see the objections made my our neighbours so that we can address them in an appeal. County Council share objections. Do I have any legal rights under data protection/disclosure legislation to access these objections to my property?

Parish councils don't determine planning applications, so not sure what you mean? Do you mean that the parish have objected to your application? If so, wait until the application is determined by the local planning authority.

A number of developments in our village have gone ahead depsite the strident objections of the Parish Council.

Send in your application to the District Council, and the Parish COuncil will send in their objections, which will then become public, and you will have the right to see them.

I'd call the planning officer (should be at District Cll level) and ask them about why they think objections have been raised. You mention the County Cll also have objections - do you mean district and has permission been refused at a District level? Parish Clls only recommend to the next tier (District) so your application will go through another planning meeting and you have the right to attend it although not speak during the meeting, i.e. when they are debating. Check the rules of the committee because some councils will allow you to speak during a break in proceedings (good because you could reply to their points whilst they are still in session) or beforehand when, if you have spoken to the planning officer, you could answer potential objections.

Alternatively a lot of councils have planning documents online now - many in East Anglia do - and you can find your application. Several also put any objections they have received in writing online as well, attached to the application.

Does the rejection not list the basis on which it was rejected? Our council issues details of the grounds on which it was rejected for example highways - not adequate sightline or entrance too narrow.