Neighbours have had a letter...

[IsItSafeToBeOptimisticYet]

We put planning in for an extension in March. Several neighbours have had letters in the past couple of days asking if they have any objections. Does this mean that if no one objects the council are happy with the plans?

No this is the normal planning process. The council won't have made a final decision yet.

No. By law they have to notify adjacent parties, can’t remember how many houses each side, or behind. They then have the option to comment. There are also a number of other formal consultees ( highways, EA, etc etc) who will be contacted for opinion, including your local parish or town council if you have one. The planning officer will then take all that information, review your plan against policies, both national and local, and then make a decision. Sometimes applications go to planning committee and sometimes the officer agrees or refused

You can see who says what by looking at your application on your local authority planning portal.

I assume that you also have a notice displayed outside of your house
Embarrassingly I haven't noticed
As you can see we have no idea of the process! Thank you for your responses.

@Chloemol

No. By law they have to notify adjacent parties, can’t remember how many houses each side, or behind. They then have the option to comment. There are also a number of other formal consultees ( highways, EA, etc etc) who will be contacted for opinion, including your local parish or town council if you have one. The planning officer will then take all that information, review your plan against policies, both national and local, and then make a decision. Sometimes applications go to planning committee and sometimes the officer agrees or refused

You can see who says what by looking at your application on your local authority planning portal.

Thank you. I'll have a look on it when I get home.

No letter up on any lamp posts as yet.

Even if one (or all ) of them objects it doesn't mean you WON'T get planning permission.

Conversely if no-one objects it doesn't mean you WILL get planning permission.

We had objections from about 6 houses when we put in our planning application - it was still approved. It’s just part of the process. You should also have a site visit from planning officer.

Perhaps you should read up on the process. Did you consult the council pre application as to whether it met basic criteria? All the letters mean is that the application has been validated and will be on their website open for comment. Neighbours, other consultees (listed on the online application) or in fact anyone, can respond positively or negatively, the planning officer reviews these with any comments they have about it. They make a recommendation but large or controversial schemes may go to the council planning committee for a decision.

Perhaps you should read up on the process. Did you consult the council pre application as to whether it met basic criteria?
Husband went through that with the architect.

Went through with the architect or a council planning officer?