Talk to me about conservation officers and planning applications

[stealthsquiggle]

..our planning application was not a listed building application (although the house is listed) as we were told by the planning officer that it didn't need to be since the development (shed aka home office) didn't touch the house. It was refused on comments from the conservation officer.

Qus: 1. Does the conservation officer still have the right to comment given that it is not a listed building / conservation area application

1. What do I need to say in the appeal to get over her idiot comments?

1. How much would it cost me to get someone to help me (urgently as I have been an ostrich about it for far too long) with a written appeal?

TIA...

bump [hopeful]

Did the planning case officer recommend it for approval?

No - they rolled over and went with her comments - their only (impractical) suggestion was that we re-sited it.

God, I don't really know... can you avoid the hassle of an appeal by re-siting it as they suggested? Who is your Local Authority?

Sorry, not reading properly, you say the re-siting is impractical.
So, what were the reasons for refusal?

On what grounds did they refuse?

Conservation area? Sounds like trees are the issue, am I right?

You need a planning consultant.

Malvern Hills

Basically they said it wasn't pretty enough and was visible from the road. It's a retrospective application as we were fool enough to listen to advice that we wouldn't need planning consent for it.

It's not a conservation area - and no trees involved - but the house is listed.

If I argue that the angle from which the shed can be seen is not the angle from which the house is of historic interest, and offer to plant additional trees/let the (already tall) hedge grow a bit to screen it from the (v. short) part of the road from which it can be seen, will that work does anyone think

edam - any recommendations?! or an idea of how much it would cost?

I think Edam might be right.... someone who has dealt with your local planning dept might be the best person to advise you.... but what you are suggesting does sound reasonable (hopeful emoticon for you)

no, sorry, look in the phone book! Local planning consultants should all have good contacts with the council - they are usually people who used to work there.