Anyone clued up in planning? Balcony issue...

[Purpleraiin]

I asked for advice on here last year about a balcony my neighbour had erected. I followed the advice, planning was required, enforcement visited, retrospective permission has now been applied for. The officer handling the case visited my property, and has now asked if the panel members can visit as he believes it will help my case, which I've agreed to. He has now made me aware of a board meeting that I can speak at.

This is where I'm now lost. Would it benefit me to speak at the meeting? If I don't, does that look like I'm just not that bothered?
If I do, I have absolutely no idea what to say. I already stated all my reasons for objection when I commented on the application, so would I just go along and reiterate all of this?

You can usually only mention the grounds you have already mentioned. There is a time limit to speak so explain your issues in priority order.

You get 3 minutes to speak. I would go along and clearly reiterate the planning breaches the balcony is subject to and then finish with any personal impact (e.g. privacy or noise). Technically the personal impact is not a reason for them to side with you but if it is a borderline case, most will take that into account.

Thank you both. This is probably a ridiculous question, what is a 'borderline case' ?

A borderline case could be something where you can see the application could annoy or disadvantage neighbours but technically doesn’t breach planning regulations. Or where it is contrary to a neighbourhood plan but doesn’t have a significant impact on the street scene so may be allowed to pass. Or where it technically breaches planning but precedent has been set and it has been allowed on neighbouring houses. Anything that isn’t 100% cut and dry basically.