Family House & garage being converted into 4 flats

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Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on November 26, 2009 at 13:21

There are plenty on here more knowledgeable than me about conversions, Bushy is the expert and I am sure he will offer you some advice. I think it would be highly unlikely for them to get permission, whether that deters them is another matter. An interesting article in the HJ about situations such as yours:

HJ Article

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Permalink Reply by VIX on November 26, 2009 at 21:58

Rolfy

Send us the planning app for this property if you can. Or any other information.

Looks like they are trying the old 'develop first apply for retrospective planning after the event tactic'
If they are converting a garage it sounds like a slum landlord, and believe me you don't want to be living next to this kind of development. I doubt it will be three 'flats' more like four tiny bedsits. I would be shocked if this got passed to be honest.
I'm sure the planning group on HOL can help you tackle this. There are a number of us really clued up on planning now.
If you want to get your neighbors involved then make it easy for them to do so, this probably means knocking on doors so people are made aware if the issue. We had an illegal development converted next to us two years ago and found that fighting it made us a stronger residential community. Don't think other residents don't care, sometimes [as in our case] people presume the council has granted planning permission or they can't be bothered to respond so you need to give them a nudge. This property run badly and with transient tenants will effect your whole street, so your neighbors should give a s**t.

Re
"They have already built a huge extension on our party wall without notice or paperwork"
I would put a call into Planning Enforcement, there are a number of good officers but a guy named Patric Sullivan is particularly diligent and approachable.

Let us know how you get on.
Good luck!

Vix

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Permalink Reply by VIX on December 8, 2009 at 16:03

Vanessa

Looks like you have a couple more clued up neighbors fighting this rather worrying development.
I just looked at the plans online.
Maybe you have already been in touch with your neighbor Neil Martin, he is a little naive to think it will all be ok if they check the damp course! You do not need 10/12 transient tennants living next door to you! I find the planning app very confusing but then they make it confusing on purpose.
The whole thing smells of a slum development, and they have not been truthful on their application, this should be picked up by the planning officer.
Who have you been sending your objections too? I think you need to make some noise higher than the planning office on this one before its gets any further along.
Have you spoken to planning or planning enforcement about this yet?

Happy to discuss this offline, just let me now how to contact you.

Best
Vix

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Permalink Reply by VIX on December 12, 2009 at 14:42

Hi vanessa.
Will send you an email.

Vix

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on November 29, 2009 at 0:19

Rolfy, you got a useful looking reply to this from Liza on our Facebook page - visit the page via the link on the left hand column on our front page.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on December 3, 2009 at 10:29

OK - posted that back to FB.

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