Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

My Planning nightmare - it’s making me ill!

28 replies

Theodoros12 · 16/05/2018 22:43

I have lived in this small bucks village for 2 years now and have put two planning applications in - the first was withdrawn but was not a issue with the planners. My dad is coming to live wit us as he has dementia and is blind and in a wheelchair as am I. Dispite discussions with both neighbours who raised no objections to me they then went on to tell a load of lies about the plans to other neighbours saying that I was going to rent it out or live in it. One neighbour told my DH that they know this was going to happen as ‘you lot always rent out your garages and sheds and I know this because my sister lives in Wembley’. DH is Asian but has never rented a garage to live in, has never known anybody who has lived in a garage or shed and has never ever been to Wembley. The second application was submitted to accommodate both my dad and myself and was a replica of the houses on either side and recommend for approval by the planners. but the other next door neighbour is an associate of the local councillor who sits on the planning committee. The neighbour even got her friend to make a complaint about it and she lives around the corner on the opposite side of the road. Once again, the objections all stated that we would be using the garage for accommodation or renting it out. It was refused at Committee. We are now making a third application but the neighbour has already told me they don’t want us here as we are different and will be renting the garage out. Even the council planners think it’s racist as there are no other Indians here (I’m white) and there are other garages that have roof windows and fixed wooden steps to storage area. I can’t use it as I’m in a wheelchair but the kids will be able
To get up there for me if I need them to as DHis often away for business. For the first time my kids have felt aware of their mixed background as the comments made were
In their presence. My DD even apologised to me for being ‘a bit brown’ as it meant we couldn’t have a nice house! I’m feeling really vulnerable at the moment and sill as it may sound, scared. Are these people really that ignorant and would anyone else find it racist? I’m trying to stay positive but it’s mainly me ill. Please give me some advice about how to manage this. Many thanks x

OP posts:

PetulantPolecat · 16/05/2018 23:08

“second application was submitted to accommodate both my dad and myself ”

You’ve not said what you’re actually applying for and on what basis it is being rejected, so difficult to reply.

Can you clarify?

BuildingThings · 17/05/2018 08:47

Normally neighbour objections have very little impact on the final committee decision. It wouldn't concern them if you did chose to rent your garage out. Could you tell us what the grounds for rejection are and how your architect is planning on addressing them in the third application?

Seeline · 17/05/2018 08:51

If it simply being refused on the basis of potentially becoming a second dwelling you could either resubmit and include a legal undertaking preventing such an occurrence from happening, or appeal to the planning inspectorate. The y can only take into account true planning issues (as should local councillors, but they can sometimes be swayed - especially when local elections are looming).
Technically, the council should not be refusing ancillary accommodation on the basis that it 'might' become a separate unit (unless it is obviously designed as such) as any such use would require planning permission in its own right.

Seeline · 17/05/2018 08:53

Obviously, if the COuncil are refusing the actual extension/building )or whatever it is you are applying for) in terms of its size/position/impact on neighbours etc then you will need to get your architect to try and address those issues. You could still appeal against the Council's refusal as well.

Original poster

Theodoros12 · 17/05/2018 10:55

I’m applying for a 4 bed bungalow to be extended to a 4 bed chalet bungalow with space downstairs for disabled facilities for two wheelchair users. It’s exactly the same as next door and has a modest side extension of 1m wide by 6m long. The garage is being moved to the front - just like all the others. There is also the addition of a porch and ramps. It’s really no different to the others with the exception of the ramps. I did appeal and it was refused on the basis that one neighbour would lose their view of the other - which is across my front garden. Even the planners were shocked at the outcome. We’ve gone back in with a new application taking into account the feedback from the appeal but the bigger issue is that I know I will
Go round the same loop again - I think the Neighbours feel it’s the thin edge of the wedge when the first Asians move into a small area which is all white and of a certain perceived social standing. I’v had letters posted through the postbox saying my ‘sort’arent wanted, DH has been shouted at when he’s walked the dog saying ‘what are you doing here’ and the kids won’t go out on their own. homes here change hand very rarely and it’s only now as the long term residents leave because they can’t manage on their own anymore that new people come. If it was just the planning I’d be OK - it happens - but it’s the obvious racist undertones that’s getting me down. I did go to the police and they spoke to several people and sent letters to everyone saying it wasn’t acceptable but that only made it worse. Some will say move but I need this type of accommodation and it’s thin on the ground in this area and I need to be close to my extended family who I rely on for help. Everyone knows the local councillors as they’ve even here for years and they are all chummy with each other. On day 1 when I moved in one of the neighbours said to my face ‘it’s like the United Nations in there’ - I should have known then I suppose.

OP posts:

Seeline · 17/05/2018 12:05

I am sorry for all that you are going through. It is appalling.

On the planning front - if you can revise the scheme to overcome the Inspector's concerns, then you shouldn't go round the loop again. If that was the only concern he had, then all other aspects of the scheme will be seen as acceptable. If the council refuse on any of the original issues then I would appeal and you would be entitled to apply for costs from the Council.

In terms of your neighbours, I really don't know the answer. Keep the police informed. I hope things improve for you.

LIZS · 17/05/2018 12:08

What grounds is it being refused on? Speculation on future use is not one that carries weight. Have you appealed?

greendale17 · 17/05/2018 12:14

I wouldn’t want to live in your neighbourhood- sound like a bunch of racists bullies

Original poster

Theodoros12 · 17/05/2018 12:25

Thanks Seeline - i appreciate your comments. I’ve gone back with the amended plans and 1 of the neighbours has already told me they will pull out all the stops to get it stopped again. Ironically a very similar application raised zero objections last year but the occupants there are white. I really thought that places like this had disappeared years ago and we had all moved on. All that’s missing is a sign that says ‘no blacks, no dogs, no irish’ and we’d be back in the 60s. As I said, the planning issues I can deal with but not the hatred.

OP posts:

RealityHasALiberalBias · 17/05/2018 12:47

God this makes me want to weep. I'm so sorry OP. Why are people so awful?

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 17/05/2018 13:02

Sorry you're going through this, it does sound like your neighbours are twats. The objection should only be taken into account if it has a sound basis in planning regulations. Can you afford to get a planning consultant to advise?

LizzieMacQueen · 17/05/2018 13:37

I'd go to your MP. See what they say. But that's truly awful behaviour.

beachysandy81 · 17/05/2018 13:44

So sorry you are experiencing this. They are being racist so I would take it further. Where do you live? I have never lived anywhere like that before in the UK!!

picklemepopcorn · 17/05/2018 14:01

Involve your councillor and your MP. They can help you access the planning committee members.
Invite the councillors and planning officers to come and see your property.
Show them the similar extensions in the area, and ask them to explain why yours is different.

picklemepopcorn · 17/05/2018 14:01

And the local press!

CloudCaptain · 17/05/2018 14:14

for you.

Original poster

Theodoros12 · 17/05/2018 14:39

The planners came, saw it and recommended it for approval but the local councillor who sits on the planning committee and is an associate of one of the neighbours encouraged the rest of the committee to vote against it. I did call him to ask what he would deem acceptable and he said I had a problem with being ‘chizzed’ - I told him that I didn’t know what the word meant so he spelt it out for me whilst I looked it up on my phone. I was somewhat taken aback. I don’t want to contact him again!

OP posts:

TheFaerieQueene · 17/05/2018 14:46

You need to speak with a planning consultant and get them to attend the appeal on your behalf. They have to apply planning regulations when making a decision and if you can demonstrate that they are not, you can peruse them for costs etc.
I would ask for all minutes of meetings when your planning decision was decided - you have rights for a freedom of information request to get them.
Good luck.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 17/05/2018 14:53

Second vote for finding a planning consultant to help you with this.
www.rtpiconsultants.co.uk/
Good luck

Original poster

Theodoros12 · 17/05/2018 15:12

I did use a architect/planning consultant for all the submissions and the appeal. The LA planners didn’t have any objections and recommended it for approval. It’s not the planning that I can’t deal with - it’s the racist little village mentality that’s floored me. The local councillor (only th one unfortunately) has been in situ since 1993 or something so he knows everyone here. The last person to buy here before me in 2016 was about 2006 so they all have history. I hate this place it’s like being in a prison as I can’t even get into the garden as I don’t have the ramps because I can’t get planning. I don’t have permitted development rights so everything needs to go through planning.

OP posts:

RealityHasALiberalBias · 17/05/2018 17:10

This is so appalling. I agree with others that you should see your MP. Go a step above these racist councillors.

picklemepopcorn · 17/05/2018 18:19

Is there a disability rights charity that can help? They would know your legal entitlement to make alterations. It really shouldn't be going to committee at all. Make a code of conduct complaint against the Cllr. The local council will tell you how.

JustGettingStarted · 17/05/2018 18:34

I hope you are able to get through this.

4yearsnosleep · 17/05/2018 19:33

Purely the ramps would probably come under DDA and they can't refuse! What a bunch of a-holes. Do you have any documentation of their racist remarks?

soulrider · 17/05/2018 21:22

If it was recommended for approval but got turned down by the committee for spurious reasons it should be straightforward to win at appeal.

Are you saying you've appealed and the planning inspectorate have dismissed the appeal? Because that suggests there are material issues.

Flip

1 2