time limit on planning of 6 months

[Star29]

Hi,

Please advise, our building works have had some issues and with our neighbours complaints we have had to re apply for planning which has been granted, however we have a restriction in time limit.

"The works relating to this planning permission must be completed not later than six months from the date of the decision notice. Reason: To ensure a satisfactory appearance and protect the amenity of adjoining properties."

we have pretty much finished all the structural but its not been signed off, does the clause mean built only or built and signed off by building control. There is one element that we are not going to do since we are tight on budget and its only really aesthetics.

If we need to apply to extension again how do we do this?

Thanks

 

[jeds]

Completion clauses aren't common because they are very difficult to enforce. So as long as the project is finished to a reasonable tidy stage you can safely ignore it.

The only rider to that is what is it you are not completing now? If it is something specifically noted in the planning permission you might get a knock.

 

[Star29]

the elements that the neighbours and council had issues with will be finished to a reasonable state by the time limit.

the element we dont want to finish due to budget reasons no one had issues with.

thanks for the advice

 

[tony1851]

The 6 months limit is probably just something to appease the neighbours and make it look as though the council is doing somthing.

If you hadn't substantially completed it by that time, what could the council do?

Enforcement action can take a long time - the council knows this - and by the time an Inspector got to look at it, the job would probably have been finished anyway.

 

[Star29]

as predicted, the neighbours have complained that we have exceeded our time limit. we have done all the structural work as per the plans apart from putting up a privacy fence panel which will be done this week. The enforcement guy wants a visit now. thoughts?

 

[tony1851]

Just ignore the enforcement guy and carry on; he probably only wants to visit to satisfy the neighbours.

 

[Star29]

he has also only emailed us to ask for a site visit, not via a letter or anything.