Rear First Floor Extension will be refused

[Devonish]

Sorry my first post is a question but,
We wanted to build a first floor extension on the rear of our semi detached house. It would be first floor only and stand on pillars, as we would have a sitting area beneath. It would be 5m in length and 3 m in depth.
I had the plans drawn and spoke to my neighbour who made it quite clear that he would object.
The plans went in and the Planning officer conducted a site visit. The neighbour had objected due to the light he perceived would be lost. So I spoke to the neighbour and we agreed that if I shortened the length to 3m he would have no objection. The plans were redrawn and sent in.
I have been advised today that the revised plan will be turned down due to the obverse effect on my neighbour. This is for a 3x3m upstair bedroom that we need to continue to provide foster care to children.
This will now go to planning committee. Will this improve our chances or are we sunk?
And yes I am a bit miffed with it all.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Who can say, you can have your three minutes though if you wish .....

 

[^woody^]

Does it conform to the local planning policy?

An application would only tend to go committee is if a councillor calls it in, or if there are objections but it meets planning policy.

Fostering is in demand, and you should emphasise the need for this room to continue that work.

 

[big-all]

ok 2 points to note
he may still object to your new size but say he wont ??

they may still have there objection registered unless he withdraws it
i simply dont know but worth a mention

 

[Devonish]

Does it conform to the local planning policy?

An application would only tend to go committee is if a councillor calls it in, or if there are objections but it meets planning policy.

Fostering is in demand, and you should emphasise the need for this room to continue that work.

We paid an architectural consultant to draw the plans and ensure all was as it should be. He was told by planning that it would be turned down and has then contacted the District Councillor who has agreed to to call it in. The DC said that he can't see why it should be turned as it just didn't make any sense.

The Consultant said he would ensure that the committee were very aware as to why the room is needed.

 

[Devonish]

ok 2 points to note
he may still object to your new size but say he wont ??

they may still have there objection registered unless he withdraws it
i simply dont know but worth a mention

I agree. I don't trust the neighbour. He told me that he was 'friendly' with the Chief Planning Officer and I had no hope in ever getting the (original) plan approved. I didn't believe him in truth. He said he had involved a lawyer and would take action on the LA if it went through. Maybe this had some bearing. In truth I just don't know.

 

[Devonish]

I thought I would provide an update as to how we got on. The original application for the rear extension was turned down, and there was no moving them. However the Planning Officer hinted that she would have no issue with a side extension. More plans were drawn for a single storey extension which would provide two bedrooms. The only issue they had was with the fact that the extension would be built on the drive where my Ford Transit lives at night and therefore it would increase the on-road parking. I offered to remove the front garden as extra parking provision. Planning agreed and it went through. Interestingly other properties have sought permission to turn front gardens into parking and have been refused.

 

[big-all]

thanks for taking the time to let us know how you got on it makes it all worth it

 

[roboughton]

Always good to hear a positive outcome!!

As for planning its mine field eh!!!

When we applied for ours all the comments on the online portal from different departments were against it but the planning officer approved it. Lucky for us we don't block anyone or anything.