Do planning officers take positive comments into account on planning applications?

[dancemonke]

We've got about 80 positive comments for turning a v ugly building into a house (it's derelict and everyone local wants it to stop being a vandalism magnet, so are supporting us). Do they actually help? The planners want it to stay a business unit. No negative comments at all. We could get more people to put in positive comments, but not sure if they are taken into account and don't want to waste people's time!

Not really. They could equally say they wanted it to become a public swimming pool. They just don’t want it derelict. What the planners will need to assess is whether this property is in a business zone and whether it’s ok to allow it to become residential if it’s in such a zone. It’s a change of use and is that ok? Councils should have local plans which designate areas for residential or business. If it’s an area that’s going to be residential, and it’s in a plan, then it’s got a chance. However random views from the public not taking policies snd published plans into account are not going to be worth much. However it’s better than 80 objecting!