A question for those in the know, since roughly the beginning of this year the local authority’s within the vicinity where I work have introduced Local Validation Checklists's of which more or less determine that a Wildlife Survey (or a bat survey in layman’s) is required for any works effecting a roof ie loft conversion or extension that joins the roof. Have your own local authority's been introducing their own local validation lists and how has it affect you? Some authority’s validations lists are clearer than others with some citing any work on a roof to be the trigger whereas others citing that 'work on a complex roof' for example will trigger it, seemingly leaving it open to the planners interpretation. Obviously the implications of this is potentially hugely disruptive and adds another tier of bureaucracy to the homeowner who wants to convert their loft not to mention some potentially expensive surveys and almighty time delays if the beastly critters are found and a full survey is required.
There is clearly scope to disagree with a local authority’s validation list as this is not a national validation list and there a process to follow if you think it’s worth the fight but I wonder if there is any merit in pursuing that route? Or will it end in a pointless struggle requiring a survey anyway and just get the planners backs up?
And yes we can al say to clients to shimmy up into the loft with a hoover and do a crime scene style clean-up operation prior to a survey but that’s not really what I want to be recommending.
And whilst PD is not affected by this (yet) maybe it will be at some point …..
Your thoughts anyone?
Another gem I’ve had sprung on me lately is drawing a red line around each extension on a site (as well as a red line around the whole site) to identify where the development on a site is taking place to make life easier for the poor stupid people who determine your application and can’t read drawings.
There is clearly scope to disagree with a local authority’s validation list as this is not a national validation list and there a process to follow if you think it’s worth the fight but I wonder if there is any merit in pursuing that route? Or will it end in a pointless struggle requiring a survey anyway and just get the planners backs up?
And yes we can al say to clients to shimmy up into the loft with a hoover and do a crime scene style clean-up operation prior to a survey but that’s not really what I want to be recommending.
And whilst PD is not affected by this (yet) maybe it will be at some point …..
Your thoughts anyone?
Another gem I’ve had sprung on me lately is drawing a red line around each extension on a site (as well as a red line around the whole site) to identify where the development on a site is taking place to make life easier for the poor stupid people who determine your application and can’t read drawings.
