Planning Permission -- Relating to Sea Views.

[T_A_B]

Hi One and all.

Recently we had a planning permission refused and the last paragraph of the refusal document is shown below.

"The introduction of a dwelling on this se will disrupt the un-obscured outlook from 1-9 (insert generic teraced street name here) to the detriment of the residential amenity of those properties."

The thing is I was under the impression that the planning office is not supposed to consider disruption of views when making a decision as its not the designated function of there office.

(The only reference to something like this is the succesfull appeal here > http://www.gos.gov.uk/497763/docs/199734/199731/331496/331684)

Has anyone come accross anyhting similar before or have any comments? Is it worth pursuing further as the planning office are suggesting that no matter what changes are made to the plans the errection of anything that is beyond the existing structure would create the same issues!

 

[Fluffster]

I have the opposite view I thought the planning dept are there to protect others aspect, they even give guidelines on angled line of sight when building an extension.
Pete

 

[Richard C]

I have the opposite view I thought the planning dept are there to protect others aspect, they even give guidelines on angled line of sight when building an extension.
Pete

I think that's more to do with being able to overlook your neighbour’s than obscuring their view; sad as it may be for the one’s loosing it, I didn't think anyone had the right to a view either!

Presumable those who live in the terrace objected? Did this go before the planning committee? If so what was the planning officer’s recommendation to the committee?

Many planning committee’s are populated by dinosaurs that try & impose their own view rather than follow the rules & planning officer’s recommendations; if you’ve never been to a planning committee meeting, you should go(you should certainly have gone to your own), sometimes what goes on there has to be seen to be believed! It may even be that someone in the terrace has a ‘mate’ on the committee; it’s not supposed to happen but it does &, in many cases, works because the applicant just thinks that’s the end of it & gives up.

If it’s really important to you, I would do some research &, if you think you have a case, get some heavyweight, expert support & appeal. I’m not 100% certain but I believe you can recover your costs if the reason for refusal is found to be unjustified. I personally know of 2 cases where perseverance has won through; look at the large supermarkets, they usually get what they want in the end!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I have the opposite view I thought the planning dept are there to protect others aspect, they even give guidelines on angled line of sight when building an extension.
Pete

I agree, taking away their unobscured view may also have an adverse affect on their property prices. Planners do get it right sometimes.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Many planning committee’s are populated by dinosaurs that try & impose their own view rather than follow the rules & planning officer’s recommendations; if you’ve never been to a planning committee meeting, you should go(you should certainly have gone to your own), sometimes what goes on there has to be seen to be believed! It may even be that someone in the terrace has a ‘mate’ on the committee; it’s not supposed to happen but it does &, in many cases, works because the applicant just thinks that’s the end of it & gives up.

Haha, totally agree with this one too, they can be hilarious, in a twisted depressing kind of way, I've been to them too and can second the opinion of the planners knowing someone who's objecting, anyone taking part in the decision is obliged to declare an interest but of course is unlikely in a case like this if thats what happened. You could speak to a planning consultant for an opinion, phone up your local architects and find out if they use anyone or would recomend a prticular one. You may have to do some site sections to prove it doesn't obscure the view. Unless it does!