Objecting to a planning application

[CuthbertDibble]

I have a flat, it's part of a block of 145 flats with the first four floors of the block being used as a hotel.

There are three separate communal roof terraces, 10th floor, 13th floor and 17th floor. My flat is on the 10th floor, as you walk out of the front door there is nothing opposite except floor to ceiling glazing and a door to the communal terrace. The flat was chosen, in part, for the easy access to some outdoor space.

I've just found out that the freeholder of the block has put in a planning application to build extra flats on each of the terraces. The 10th floor terrace will be lost completely, the 13th will become a 14th floor sedum roof, space for solar panels and a small outside children's play area and the 17th will become an 18th floor bar (run by the hotel) and outside communal area.

There will be no loss of light because I have no windows looking out into the corridor and, apparently, councils don't take into account any potential loss of property value so I can't object about that.

There will be a huge reduction in the communal outdoor space, the three current roof terraces are a total of 1,631sq.m., the new play area and resident's area near the bar will only be a total of 230sq.m.

Is the reduction in communal space good enough grounds for objection? Is there anything else that might be good grounds?

Do you have DCs ? If so try look at potential for "protecting children from harm"

Sorry I've a migraine, so not at my best to reply, but I've dealt with objecting to planning application a few times & there is a list of objections that's good to raise, the one above always gets taken seriously - I'm trying to remember the others, but if you look on your councils website, licensing objections - list of grounds for objection, you should find something - if you can find an objection that fits each one, however tenuous, it can help - lack of/less outdoor space would definitely affect DCs - & speak to your neighbours, & maybe MO - the more of you raising the same objections, the better your chances

Good luck

the prevention of crime and disorder;
public safety;
the prevention of public nuisance;
the protection of children from harm.

There you go, these are the grounds you can object on legally, so find/word as much if your objection as you can to support each of these grounds for objection & add anything else as an add on

Protecting children from harm! Are you kidding!

I tried goal - which is more than you are attempting to do

Thanks for the ideas, no children, so can't use that one. The council has very specific planning requirements for 'amenity space' so I think I may need to contact them for further clarification.

You've listed objections to a licensing application though, they're not really relevant to a planning application.

Loss of amenity is the main planning issue.

It is likely that when the complex was built the amenity space was provided in accordance with a standard. If you can find out what this is then any reduction will need to be justified and is a robust basis for a planning objection.

You could refer to the space being used by children even if you don't have any of your own as planning works in the public, not the private interest. Hence why property values are not taken into account.

The list above is fir licensing objections and not really useful for planning. The systems work independently though there is sometimes overlap e.g. conditions on opening hours.

It will help to get as many people as possible to write in to object, although they need to write themselves, not using a standard letter or a petition.

Sounds like amenity space is the way to go. Thanks.

Also how modern is the building? If it's reasonably recent you may be able to view the original planning application which may mention the amenity space needed for the size of development

It was built 2005/2006.

The developer is claiming that there will still be enough amenity space but they are including all of the private space and some of the private spaces are much, much smaller than others and not in line with council requirements if you just have private space.