Anyone has a right to object to a submitted planning application. There are a number
of issues that should be considered before doing so.
Every objection of supportive comment should show the Planning Application
number of the relevant application. The response should show the name and postal
address of the writer, even if the comment is made by email.
Certain locations, such as Conservation areas or land within the Green Belt, require
the planning authority to exercise stricter control over any development or alteration
taking place within them. Green Belt land precludes ‘inappropriate development’
from taking place within its boundaries. It does, however, allow such things as small
developments of affordable homes and traveller sites, particularly if there is evidence
of an unmet need that cannot be accommodated elsewhere, or there is a particularly
pressing identified need. Many other conditions will also have to be met.
Material Planning Considerations.
These are the only issues that the Planning Authority or Planning Committee will
consider when making their decision on a planning application. They include:
- Loss of light or ‘overshadowing’
Loss of visual amenity (note, this does NOT INCLUDE loss of view)
The ‘amenity’ can be defined as the ‘pleasantness or attractiveness of a place’
Adequacy of parking/loading/turning
Highway safety
Traffic generation
Use or storage of hazardous materials
Unpleasant smells
Loss of trees
Effects on listed buildings or a conservation area
Layout/density of buildings
Design and appearance of buildings, or material used in construction
Landscaping
Road access
Planning policies – local, regional, national or strategic
Government circulars or orders
Disabled access
Proposals in the Local Development Plan
Previous planning decisions
Nature conservation
Archaeology
Specific use of solar panels.
.
Matters that will not be taken into account by the Local Planning Authority include:
- Loss of property value
Private disputes between neighbours
Loss of a view
Impact of construction work or competition between companies
Restrictive covenants
Ownership disputes over rights of way
Fence lines
Personal moral comments or views about the applicant
.
Whilst anyone may wish to supply a personal/historical perspective to their comments
it is unlikely to be considered relevant unless the issue falls within one of the Material
Planning Considerations.
.
There are many websites containing advice on how to challenge a planning
application. If you put ‘Material Planning Consideration’ into your search engine a
variety of documents will give much food for thought, including sample letters of
objection from the CPRE site.