Objecting to a Planning Application
A planning application is submitted to the local planning authority who is responsible for approving or denying building plans dependent on the judgement of the planning officers. Often, people who thought they ought to have been notified were not informed about the planning. Even if you were not identified as potentially affected by the building, you could still object the planning application.
One of the easiest ways to find out about local planning applications is to check your local council website. You can see what planning applications have been received and generally, you can download and view the details of the planning application so you can learn about potential projects in your area.
If you are unable to access this information online, you should be able to request a copy of the project details from your local planning department's office.
How to Make an Objection
Most communities have a designated local authority that will take building complaints and concerns and investigate whether the claims have the backing or legitimate concern. When objecting to a planning application, it is important to know that planning officers or the council can only accept legitimate planning concerns into account. This means that you have to conduct research before objecting the planning application so you can thoroughly report to the council why the project should not be started. Councils typically set a deadline of when they need to have any/all objections or issues submitted for decision, generally 21 days before the planning project is to be decided on.
Submitting your concerns about a planning application can be done so in person, usually through a written letter to the council. Your letter should be brief, concise and professional in tone to show that your concerns are legitimate and should be considered when the planning application is reviewed. Therefore, it makes the most sense that you concentrate on the aspects of development which are most disruptive to the local community or are unacceptable in their visual impact. Smell disturbances, noise concerns, or loss of privacy are generally regarded as legitimate reasons to object a planning application.
What Can You Object
Some points of concern that can be issued to your local council ruling on a planning application are:
- Disturbance from smells
- Environmental impact/loss of conservation
- Impact on public visual amenity
- Noise and disturbance from the proposed development
- Overshadowing
- Overlooking or loss of privacy
- Traffic generation
- Ground stability/drainage concerns
All these are points that should be considered by the original applicant in their application. However, it is not always the case. It is important for community members to be aware of what is going on in their community and advocate for themselves and their homes.
Explore more:
Planning Permission & Building Regulations
Do I need Planning Permission?
What To Do when a Planning Application is Refused
What are the Building Regulations?
What is the Party Wall Agreement?
Do you need to find out more about planning permission and building regulations? Follow this link for RICS Surveyors in Maidstone and Kent.