My Wife Wants A Bigger One (kitchen!)

[Scorpiorefugee]

This isn't a campaign against planning offices but I should like to hear caomments or stories from anyone else who's had a similar experience.

 

We've lived in the same house from new for 28 years and for most of this SWMBO has wanted a bigger kitchen and it makes sense to extend the bedroom above by the same amount which (only just) means we need planning permission. I've spoken to several neighbours and broadcast the information and, as far as I can tell, not one of the 25 or so within visible range has a single problem with it and most think that it is a good idea.

 

The planning office however have a rule that, instead of blending in nicely with the original, it has to be "subservient by 75cm each side which would give me an area of 6 ft square on the end of a bit 8ft x 12 ft and look bl00dy rediculous so we can have the kitchen but ruined by supports for the bedroom wall.

 

My question is that, if everyone who has to live with it thinks it's OK, how can the planning office stop it and in respect of another much bigger comercial plan which has the universal condemnation of a much bigger group of people, they again ignore the public's wishes and support the interests of about half a dozen others?

 

Is there something I'm missing here?

[big_kev]

I would suggest you have a chat with the local planning officer and get the exact details as to their objections and/or suggested modifications.

 

There is probably some daft regulations that they have to comply with ( like the per centage increase in the original houses living area ).

 

Have a chat with the guy and see if you can get some more info from him.

 

The large commercial plans nearly always get passed as there is that much money involved they can sling the council a few bob in compensation ( this is actually true and perfectly legal, although immoral ).

[Scorpiorefugee]

Kev,

 

Been there, done it!

 

It seems that the "Daft rule" is that it has to look like an extension. I showed the plans, with very accurate computer generated images of the whole plot, to 2 senior planners on separate occasions and both said that it was no problem and would probably go through without even getting to committee stage. Also, a third senior planner did a drive past and expressed the same opinion. No-one who lives within sight of any part of the building has expressed anything but support. It exists in a small close of 5 houses within a larger close of about 60. It is not overlooked, does not overlook and affects no-one elses light or view. It increases the floor area of the building by about 7% and I intended to use weathered roof tiles to match the original.

 

They all thought it was so insignificant that it was handed to a junior planning officer and all was going well until, at the last minute, someone on the parish council raised the issue of the "Subservience rule" which was introduced sometime in the last 3 years. I have raised all of the points above and I now get the answer which I interpret as "We just don't like it". Or perhaps it's like the voice from above in the old joke "I hate your F***ing guts"

 

What is really annoying is that a new neighbour, some 4 doors away has just completed a doubling of his house size which does not follow the new rule, looks totally out of place and is so annoying that it caused another neighbour, a long standing friend, to move to a new house.

 

Sorry, I feel better now!

 

P.S. I like your little piece of history. :18:

Edited April 28, 2007 by Scorpiorefugee