Planning application refused.

[Fjuma]

Hello.
We have applied for a 2 storey rear extension. However, we've had several neighbours objecting and our application was refused due to following reasons.

Loss of light, increased sense of enclosure, overshadowing and loss of privacy.

Loss of light does not make sense as we are a detached house and set far away from the neighbours garden. Overshadowing would be slightly on their garden but just in the morning during sunrise. And incresed sense of enclosure is also irrelevant as they have a whole garden open space and then our garden open space before the proposed extension.
Loss of privacy is because the new proposed window on the first floor can be overlooking from the side onto their garden. However, we do not mind having that window frosted if that is an option?

We are new to all this as its our first time applying for an extension.
My question is, has anyone had any success stories with planning appeals? Also, can anyone reccommend a company they used which helped them get the planning appeal approval?
Thank you

The planning officer will have considered the ndn objections but only upheld them if felt valid. Did it go to committee for discussion, if so it will be minuted and available online. If not you could meet the planning officer and ask whether there are any changes which may address the objections.

Hi. No it did not go to committee. The planning officer emailed our architect the following.
"I would be grateful if you could confirm with your client whether you want this application withdrawn or refused. Due to the number of objections received on this application, we will not be accepting any amendments to the proposal."

We felt this is unfair as we should have a chance for an approval. And thats why we would like to appeal.

I would read the officer report which should be available to view on the website under the application number, the report should set out why it is not acceptable. How big is the extension? It sounds tome that the extension is probably to deep and is impacting on a neighbouring window. Just because the properties are detached doesn’t mean there will be no impact, things such as orientation, boundary treatments, position of neighbouring windows and what they serve etc all add to the decision making. If I were you I would contact the planning officer and see if there is the potential for something to be acceptable if tweeks can be made.

You can go down the appeal route but you will be probably waiting a further 6 months. If you think the planning authority are understaffed, the planning inspectorate is something else.

Not surprised they wouldn’t allow amendments, they want you to withdraw it and come back to them with another version.

Not sure where you are but in our area two storey extensions are never approved. We live in a place with large detached houses all with substantial gardens - single storey yes; loft extensions also. But all two storey ones are refused. Do any of your neighbouring houses have two storey extensions? If not I think you're unlikely to get this through.

Nothing to stop you lodging an appeal to the Inspectorate, and submitting a new application at the same time.

The delegated report should give you a bit more detail as to what the issues were so you can come up with some revisions.

It sounds as though your house and neighbouring property may not be in a standard layout in relation to each other, and that your proposal is possibly quite large?