We submitted plans for an extension in February. We are due a decision next week (April 20th) as that's 8 weeks since we put the plans in.
Our architect submitted the application as our 'agent'. When asked whether there were any trees closeby, he ticked 'no' despite there being three large trees, the closest about 3.5 metres away from the proposed development. We didn't see the application before it was submitted but later read it online.
One of our neighbours has objected. One of his objections is that the application is incorrect since it says there are no trees in close proximity. Our architect says he ticked 'no' because he knows the planners and they always advise to tick ;no' to save him the trouble of plotting out every tree on the boundary. They apparently advise that they will ask for a tree survey if they think it requires one once they carry out the site visit.
Five weeks after submitting the application, the planning department contacted our architect asking for a tree survey. I'm assuming this was because of the objection from the neighbour or because they've done a site visit.
We duly had a tree survey done. We are due to recieve it by email today but we already know the contents as we have spoken to the expert that's writing it. The trees are not a problem for the development since they are shallow-rooted. The advice is that we must cut any roots by hand but all else is well.
The planning department now insist that our original applicaiton was invalid and cannot be validated until they have the relevant paperwork. This includes the tree survey. Our planning application has been removed from the plannnig website and we are told the clock has been re-set to 8 weeks from now for a decision. I canot understand this, since everything is in place for a decision. Neighbours consulted, parish council approved.
The reason I am so frustrated is mainly that we are living in a house that needs total renovation. We bought it at the end of Janaury so have tried t move fast since we know it needs completely re-wiring and we have had flashes from sockets and a workman had an electic shock. We have two kids aged 5 and 2 and it's very stressful living here knowking the elctrics are dodgy. We desperately need to start renovating so we can get re-wiring.
Any thoughts on what's going on here?
Our architect submitted the application as our 'agent'. When asked whether there were any trees closeby, he ticked 'no' despite there being three large trees, the closest about 3.5 metres away from the proposed development. We didn't see the application before it was submitted but later read it online.
One of our neighbours has objected. One of his objections is that the application is incorrect since it says there are no trees in close proximity. Our architect says he ticked 'no' because he knows the planners and they always advise to tick ;no' to save him the trouble of plotting out every tree on the boundary. They apparently advise that they will ask for a tree survey if they think it requires one once they carry out the site visit.
Five weeks after submitting the application, the planning department contacted our architect asking for a tree survey. I'm assuming this was because of the objection from the neighbour or because they've done a site visit.
We duly had a tree survey done. We are due to recieve it by email today but we already know the contents as we have spoken to the expert that's writing it. The trees are not a problem for the development since they are shallow-rooted. The advice is that we must cut any roots by hand but all else is well.
The planning department now insist that our original applicaiton was invalid and cannot be validated until they have the relevant paperwork. This includes the tree survey. Our planning application has been removed from the plannnig website and we are told the clock has been re-set to 8 weeks from now for a decision. I canot understand this, since everything is in place for a decision. Neighbours consulted, parish council approved.
The reason I am so frustrated is mainly that we are living in a house that needs total renovation. We bought it at the end of Janaury so have tried t move fast since we know it needs completely re-wiring and we have had flashes from sockets and a workman had an electic shock. We have two kids aged 5 and 2 and it's very stressful living here knowking the elctrics are dodgy. We desperately need to start renovating so we can get re-wiring.
Any thoughts on what's going on here?