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Original poster

Planning application advice

12 replies

DoNotDisturb · 08/05/2014 10:20

We're just about to submit our planning application for a loft conversion in a conservation area. The guy drafting the plans and statement has left it all very factual and objective. Does anyone have any experience of whether this is the best approach?

My instinct is to put in why we need it and how it would be really useful to us and also to point out all the other houses who have similar etc.. I.e make my case.

Any experience from mners would be appreciated. Obviously I know it all depends on the individual assessing the application...

Thanks in advance.

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BlueSkySunnyDay · 08/05/2014 10:30

We have done a reasonable amount of building and the best thing we did was employ an architect with local knowledge. He knew right from drawing up the Plans what our planning dept would accept and were likely to reject.

Original poster
DoNotDisturb · 08/05/2014 10:32

He is a local guy with experience so maybe I should just accept what he's put together and submit it. It just feels wrong to not explain a bit... But maybe that's just me.

Similar things have been accepted so I don't think we're asking for anything ridiculous.

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Original poster
DoNotDisturb · 08/05/2014 10:33

If there's something they don't like do they give you a chance to amend or do they just reject the whole application fully?

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wonkylegs · 08/05/2014 14:45

It can only be decided on actual planning issues (there are rules even if the process often feels arbitrary) so factual is best however precedent (ie similar extensions in your neighbourhood) are part of that factual case.
Unfortunately your wants & needs aren't supposed to be considered even if they were particularly worthy. (Exceptions to this might be if you are providing adjustments for disability or space providing employment in an area with employment requirements but this would be in addition to meeting the planning obligations)
If there are similar developments close by that have permission then it's a good sign that you have a good easy case.

Original poster
DoNotDisturb · 08/05/2014 15:04

Thanks wonky. The trouble is that the conservation area is relatively recent so not sure how many were done before then..

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tryingtocatchthewind · 08/05/2014 15:12

Council Planning Officer here, wonky is right although your circumstances are very important to you the Planning Officer cannot take these into account, he/she must base their decision purely on fact and planning matters.

The mantra many planning officers chant is there is no such thing as precedent and your example is proof of that. A recent conservation area and other changes in legislation often mean looking at other developments in your street can be a red herring.

Keep your eye on the Council's website to see if anyone objects to your conversation as then by all means write to the Planning Officer to counter their arguments and state your case.

Seeline · 08/05/2014 15:15

The Planning Officer will have to assess your proposal against the policies that are in force and relevant. It is not a personal or individual whim. Even if the application is not put before the committee, it will still have been looked at by a couple of different officers at least.

DreamboatDaddy · 08/05/2014 19:22

I'm not sure if you've submitted already but my advice (earned the hard way!) is to engage with the planning department first and ask for advice on your plans. We've now done this twice and have found them very helpful. Each time they've come back within a week and basically told us whether it's going to work or not. Had we have done this the first time we'd have avoided an application that was rejected out of hand.

And we used a local architect that first time and they were absolutely hopeless.

Good luck!

Original poster
DoNotDisturb · 09/05/2014 07:37

Thanks everyone for your help. Hoping to ring the planning officer today before submitting however looking at other applications it appears to be the conservation officer who puts the spanner in the works. Wish me luck!

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OliviaBenson · 09/05/2014 07:41

You need to make the case as to why your proposals preserve or even enhance the character of the conservation area. It would be worth having a chat with the conservation officer to find out their opinion before submitting. Good luck.

pigsinmud · 09/05/2014 11:12

We're in a conservation area. The planning dept seem most concerned with the extension fitting in with the rest of the house. We went through pre-planning on the advice of our project manager. He said it sets up a dialogue between us and the planning dept. We had a site visit and they asked for a few alterations to our first plans. When they told us it was ready to put in a planning application, our PM said it means they're happy - it's just a case of waiting to see if there are any objections from the neighbours!

Original poster
DoNotDisturb · 12/05/2014 13:22

Thanks guys. It's in now so fingers crossed

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