The bungling planner, But are the rules too tight? Options

[Bofem]

Had a chuckle at the planning chief who built an illegal extension on his own house!

I love his defence.

Anyway, sounds like WBC is more embarrassed that a former planner of theirs doesn't know the rules, when perhaps we should be more concerned that our planning rules are perhaps overzealous, if they need to be tighter than in Windsor or Maidenhead.

[Andy1]

Had a chuckle at the planning chief who built an illegal extension on his own house!

I love his defence.

Anyway, sounds like WBC is more embarrassed that a former planner of theirs doesn't know the rules, when perhaps we should be more concerned that our planning rules are perhaps overzealous, if they need to be tighter than in Windsor or Maidenhead.

WBC will charge £75 for a Certificate of Lawfulness to find out if you need House Holder planning, then £150 if you do, then another £75 for the Building Regs. Then they'll tell you that they're under resourced and that your application maynot even be looked at, which means it'll be rejected. It's OK though because you can then pay more money to appeal.

[Strafin]

As a civil servant I'm sure he has the time and the money to wade through all that legislation. Although to be fair as a planner (head of department as well!) his base knowledge should be reasonable. I just hold my head in despair sometimes I really do.

[GMR]

Had a chuckle at the planning chief who built an illegal extension on his own house!

I love his defence.

Anyway, sounds like WBC is more embarrassed that a former planner of theirs doesn't know the rules, when perhaps we should be more concerned that our planning rules are perhaps overzealous, if they need to be tighter than in Windsor or Maidenhead.

The trouble is a lot of these official people think they are a law unto themselves. He knew exactly what he was doing. Probably so arrogant he thought he would get away with it. Luckily the people clubbed together and put a stop to him.

[NWNREADER]

WBC will charge £75 for a Certificate of Lawfulness to find out if you need House Holder planning, then £150 if you do, then another £75 for the Building Regs. Then they'll tell you that they're under resourced and that your application maynot even be looked at, which means it'll be rejected. It's OK though because you can then pay more money to appeal.

Not sure where you are coming from with that, but for sure an appeal against a refusal does not cost the applicant anything

[Cognosco]

As a civil servant I'm sure he has the time and the money to wade through all that legislation. Although to be fair as a planner (head of department as well!) his base knowledge should be reasonable. I just hold my head in despair sometimes I really do.

He was WBC so no; knowledge base not necessary?

Makes you wonder how much building work is carried out without planning permission.
Even when found out they usually get permission after requesting retrospective permission.

[dannyboy]

Makes you wonder how much building work is carried out without planning permission.
Even when found out they usually get permission after requesting retrospective permission.

According to the OP WBC planning dept is overzealous. You can't have it both ways Cognosco.....so which are they?

[user23]

As a civil servant I'm sure he has the time and the money to wade through all that legislation. Although to be fair as a planner (head of department as well!) his base knowledge should be reasonable. I just hold my head in despair sometimes I really do.

He's not a civil servant.

You're right though, you would have thought he would have a decent grasp of the local planning laws.

[Andy Capp]

He's not a civil servant.

You're right though, you would have thought he would have a decent grasp of the local planning laws.

Perhaps he has, but possibly having inside knowledge of our planning department, perhaps he didn't think he would be caught out.

[Cognosco]

According to the OP WBC planning dept is overzealous. You can't have it both ways Cognosco.....so which are they?

With WBC it would depend who the applicant is?

[dannyboy]

With WBC it would depend who the applicant is?

It would seem not.

[Andy Capp]

It would seem not.

Former work colleague with a grudge?

[user23]

Perhaps he has, but possibly having inside knowledge of our planning department, perhaps he didn't think he would be caught out.

If that's the case looks like he was wrong.

[Andy Capp]

If that's the case looks like he was wrong.

Agreed, but before Admin gets all upset, it was only a suggestion without any proof.

[dannyboy]

Former work colleague with a grudge?

Seems to me like a planning department doing what it supposed to do.

Are you suggesting that without a grudge nothing would have been done?

[Andy Capp]

Seems to me like a planning department doing what it supposed to do.

Are you suggesting that without a grudge nothing would have been done?

You can infer that, but how could I justifiably say that would be the case?

[user23]

You can infer that, but how could I justifiably say that would be the case?

You couldn't and I'm sure you weren't suggesting it.

[Andy Capp]

You couldn't and I'm sure you weren't suggesting it.

Of course not.

[Bofem]

Seems to me like a planning department doing what it supposed to do.

Are you suggesting that without a grudge nothing would have been done?

But really....should a loft conversion need planning permission? You can put up a porch without consent, or build a shed? Why is WBC more hardline on dormer windows than they are in Windsor (which let's face it has a lot more worth protecting)

[user23]

Why is WBC more hardline on dormer windows than they are in Windsor (which let's face it has a lot more worth protecting)

Don't you mean Windsor And Maidenhead?