[niko007]

just wondered if anyone has gone through this situation

I have just moved into a house i bought three months ago and have just been told that planning permission is underway to build 55 new flats at 4 storeys high bang across from my property , this causes me concern

1. about privacy because at least the top 2 floors will be able to look directly into my front room and my bedroom, does anyone know of any legal/privacy laws that forbids this

2. I can see this new development casuing issues with sunlight etc

3. they are building 55 new flats but are only propsing 50 parking spaces

[macdee]

your solicitor should have told you, it would have come up on the survey he does on your behalf.

[cgksheff]

Originally posted by macdee
your solicitor should have told you, it would have come up on the survey he does on your behalf.

Not necessarily macdee.

The house was bought 3 months ago.
niko007 tells us only that "planning permission is underway".
It is quite possible that the application has only been made since the house was bought.
If the application was made before the conveyancing search was made then a case can be made, but we don't have the facts yet.

niko007, tell us more.
When was the application dated?
Do you still have time to register objections?
Has permission already been granted?
Do you wish to identify the development?

[niko007]

here is some more information and i will post more after i get home

the new flats ar being built in the handsworth area

we do still have time to object to the planned flats and we have done so through our local forum ( handsworth forum ) and by letters and emails to the planning people

I am unsure when / if the planning permission has already been granted i weill try and find out this information

our solicitor did mention that there was to be a develpoment on this land be we understood from them that they would be houses and built in the same sort of materials to blend the development into the area

I am not against the land being used for property development if they were houses but when they are 4 storey apartment blocks that will easily invade our privacy

[cgksheff]

I think I have seen the application: 05/00315/REM of 8th March on the old Handsworth First School?
Now the outline permission was applied for by the council back in 2003 and granted on 2nd June 2003. It would be important to find out what what was approved in that outline application.

If you still have time to object, then permission will not have been granted yet.
After the closing date for objections, a planning officer will prepare a report which will then go before the "City Centre & East" Planning Board for a decision.

You need to keep telephoning the planning department to find out which meeting will be presented with this application.

You can also keep monitoring the Agenda as posted in advance of the meetings on the council website here .
You will also be able to read the officer's report in the agenda and learn whether they are recommending approval or not.

You may have good grounds for reducing the height based on the density of units, characteristics of the surrounding area, overlooking etc.
But it is very important to support your objection with attendance at the Board Meeting.
Once a member of the public has voiced their objection (refuting an officer's recommendation) from the floor, it is much easier for a member of the board (councillor) to recommend rejection/alteration.