Planning Permission Issue

[Bigfellah]

I hope this is in the right category.

We're almost at the point where we expect planning approval having made various changes to the plans to satisfy the local Planning Department (who have from the start been very anti the new build) and with no objections have expected approval.

However, we have now discovered that someone in the Planning Department has apparently had a "late objection"! Upon investigation we have found that, without reference to either us or the architect, the planners contacted the "objector" (who had previously seen all the plans and amendments and had not objected) and basically told him that the new building would be higher than he had thought. This apparently prompted him him to object.

Does anyone know whether council planners are permitted to take such action?

TIA

[woofgang]

first things first. How do you know that the planner did this?

[Bigfellah]

Strangely, the "objector" told us that he had been contacted by someone in the Planning Department.

[horselady]

Any third party would have had to submit their views within a certain time frame. The Council should not have accepted a late submission.

[Zacs-Master]

Yes, there is a specific period for objections. Ask the council what this was, or, go on your local council website and view your application which may tell you. You’ll also be able to see exactly what the objector wrote.

[Peter Pedant]

yes I think they are allowed to do this

[completely different - NHS - the med dir rang up some parents and said there is a complaint against Dr X do you want to make one as well? They did - when they previously hadnt. us down the mines were completely gobsmacked] ( that was the med dir I accused of perjury)
but that of course my dears is a completely different story

[lady-janine]

A bit of frivolity : tell them your name is D Cummings and just go ahead with whatever you want.

[Atheist]

I think that the LPA would have been unfair if they knew that an objector had misunderstood the height of the proposal. They should certainly have put him/her right. Don't forget that a planning decision is made on the basis of existing policies, it is not a local referendum on each application.

[AuntPollyGrey]

The planning department are within their rights and in fact, obliged, to update anyone who has lodged an objection following the Notice being posted on the original planning application.

[dannyk13]

LJ //tell them your name is D Cummings and just go ahead with whatever you want.//
Bad advice as they could be ordered to pull it down if it does not comply with the planning order.

[Bigfellah]

Further information:
The deadline was way back - about one year ago. From what "objector" is saying, it would appear that he has been approached by the planners, and when he told them he was happy with what we are doing, the planning officer then convinced him that he should be worried, as the building would be taller than he had understood. At this point, "objector" then agreed to say that he wanted our plans to be restricted to a smaller building.

[bobbinwales]

A wonder if what the objecter is saying to you isnt how thing's exactly happen'd. Anyway all you can do is ask how long it will take them to consider it & even if they axcept the objection a think you could appeal.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Bigfella I have had many years dealing with Planning Apps in the construction industry.No planning officer will approach anyone with regard to advising them to make an objection. A notice is posted near to the planned construction and anyone wishing to make a complaint at that time are invited to contact the planning department. Should planning permission not be given, then, following amended plans being sent back to planning, those who originally objected will be advised, and steered towards the online planning department gateway where all the plans and correspondence are open for anyone to see. If they still object, then it's up to them to make that known to the Department.

I think the 'objector' is being economical with the truth. The best course of action for you is to confront the planning department with this person's allegations and they will have to look into it.