Conspiracy and intimidation re planning permission what can I do?

[iknowimcoming]

Will try to cut long story short! Just had second planning application we have submitted to replace crap house with nice house refused, which on paper should be no big deal. However next door neighbour has a group of friends and relatives whom he instructs to write in and object (we are talking about 30 people) so the council have to be seen to be considering public opinion and refuse us. On second application we have asked people we know in village to support if they don't mind and they have, one of them has today received a mildly intimidating but not directly threatening email from a prominent objector. Is there any action we can take about the conspiracy and /or the intimidation? So angry and frustrated!

I would not give up hope. And don't be too sure that the neighbours' input is crucial.

Be willing to bend to suit planning requirements. Planners stick to the rules. They don't have time to say 'I'll bend the rules here a bit for this person' or 'I'll make a new rule for that one'. Maybe they also have to be seen to be doing their job so a refusal followed by a bit of discussion and change to plans proves that they have.

This is just my experience. Some people my DB believe that planners have a vendetta against them. Why would they give themselves that hassle?