Object to planning application. How to write a compelling case

[planningobjection2023]

A neighbour has "sold" part of their garden Subject to planning. A planning application has gone in for a 2 bed 2 story detached property that is ridiculously tiny. It has a tiny patio with only 1 off road parking space. Dropping the kerb would remove 2 on road parking spaces that are pretty much always in use. We live in a fairly large village that has a design statement and I have picked various points from it to use in my objection. The house is just not in keeping with the street and will straddle the boundary of our local park.

Any tips on points I can use to object to this ridiculous application? We suspect the current owner of the land will sell their own property if planning is approved and won't have to live ridiculously close to this tiny house which will be built less than 2 metres from their own property.

You need to demonstrate that the build will be opposed to some of the local planning objectives/design statement in your area-this should be available online from your council. Try googling 'Taunton planning objection criteria' or similar. Once you've foind the list, you can base your objection on it.

The key is to stick to facts. How will this contravene the design statement, how will this materially affect the environment around you etc. Don’t be too emotive, they don’t care how you feel, just use the facts.

The second element is strength in numbers. If you can get more neighbours to join in and send in their own objections using the same facts, you build a stronger case.

Yes go with the city plan and make it an impersonal to you as possible

character of the area
traffic
amenities
environmental issues

so do not mention
sunlight
privacy
house value

even better if you can quote relevant legislation to support your case

also get your neighbours to also object individually: many councils view petitions etc as one objection: don’t fall for that.

good luck!

Also contact your local councillor to see if they will help you.

Only material planning considerations will be taken into account, and can include (but are not limited to):
• Overlooking/loss of privacy
• Loss of daylight/sunlight or overshadowing
• Scale and dominance
• Layout and density of buildings
• Appearance and design of development and materials proposed
• Disabled persons' access
• Highway safety
• Traffic and parking issues
• Drainage and flood risk
• Noise, dust, fumes etc
• Impact on character or appearance of area
• Effect on listed buildings and conservation areas
• Effect on trees and wildlife/nature conservation
• Impact on the community and other services
• Economic impact and sustainability
• Government policy
• Proposals in the Local Development Plan
• Previous planning decisions (including appeal decisions)

The Design Guide is a very useful document. The other thing to look at will be the Council's Local Plan - it will be available on the Council's Planning policy pages on the website. It may comprise more than one document - all the policies in all the documents are there to be used to determine whether an application is acceptable. Have a look for ones relating to village infill, general development, new houses etc.
You may also have a Neighbourhod Plan - usually set up by a Parish Council - the policies in that are also relevant.

Thank you ever so much for this, this will help me greatly with my objection