Refusals at a planning stage are expensive, time-consuming, and… quite often unnecessary. Of course, there are very different priorities in every local authority but there are some common errors of judgement that tend to lead all too frequently to a “no” — not least where extensions and alterations are concerned.
The main problem here is the failure to consult with local policy. Refer to the local planning office and any conservation area rules before drawings are finalised, as well as recent decisions on similar streets. For advice from a Monmouth Architect, visit www.hillsandcompany.co.uk/
Another frequent problem is overdevelopment. Similarly, those extensions that feel overly imposing on their plot with limited or insignificant garden space remaining need to step back from the proposal; a cramped layout simply cannot exist in an area for which character overrides all else. It is therefore good to keep them proportional and show how the design still respects nearby properties.
It is also fundamental to not overlook your neighbours. Objections become meaningful when there is measurable attenuation, deprivation of light or nuisance. Minimise affect – by selecting appropriate window placement, obscuring of glass; and stepbacks or roof design, for example.
Insufficient or inappropriate documentation – in which case applications can be refused on these grounds too. Unfortunately, you can give a good proposal process suggestion that lacks plans or elevations, wrong measurements are inconsistent with the ones in other documents mentioned before and/or builds on future promises of design charm. Ensure all documents are correct, labelled and professional.
Lastly, large numbers of refusals occur because people romance it and neglect pre-application advice. A brief pre-application chat has the potential to bring issues into focus upfront, thus reducing time and rework costs.
It is very simple, design for policy outcome; document it well and deal with neighbour impact upfront to prevent refusal.
