What if a neighbour raises a Planning Objection

Understandably, any change in the status quo or the prospect of noisy building work next door can be very unsettling for neighbours.

It is always best to discuss your ideas with your neighbour(s) from the outset. It is important that you take the plans around to them, or invite them into your garden to discuss the project in person. You could offer to explore ways to minimise disruption (for example by instructing your builder to adhere to similar principles to the 'Considerate Constructor' Code of Practice) and improve mutual privacy. Sometimes they may even have future ideas of their own and talking about them jointly can help find more common ground than expected.

This might take place just before submitting the formal Planning Application.

Should a neighbour feel they have grounds to object during the Planning consultation period, be assured that LPA's are very experienced in assessing objections and will always seek to be impartial when evaluating the situation in purely Planning terms. They are not usually swayed by arguments on either side and this balance between protecting neighbourhood amenity and allowing development is arguably the raison d'etre of the Planning system. The Authority will seek to be as objective and accountable as they can in reaching their decision.

In the vast majority of cases, once the dust has settled and building work is complete, thankfully many of us have short memories and quickly adapt to the new status quo.

<Back