The Barn Issue Returns!

Some of you may remember my planning issues with a barn being erected immediately opposite my house. I got it moved back (yay!) which has made it vaguely acceptable. The planning on this was for 'continued viability of a small holding'. Well, this has developed somewhat. They have put a large area of hardstanding out the front of it and they are now running a transport business from it. Is it worth lobbing in another planning complaint or would this just be being a dick (more so than I already am)?

Interestingly, I found evidence that the original planning application was 'hidden'. No letter was written to the seller of my house, it didn't appear on the planning website until after permission was granted and the address for the building is wrong. Very dodgy. Applicant is a local councillor who objects to everyone elses applications so my spidey senses are tingling.

FLD

 

Do as much google re search as possible to get the "councillor" called to account, "conflict of interest".

 

Ask to see ALL email and writen correspondence between the councillor and the council planning department under an FOI request.

 

They cannot refuse this.

 

Ask to see ALL documents related to the planning application and approval, dont be a nusiance but get under the skin pof the council, copy the CEO in ALL correspondence so the top git is aware that you are not going away.

 

If any of this in unsatisfactory, or not within the 28 days process time that the council has to work to go straight to the LGO and ask for a full audit of the council and their process connected to the works. The LGO are underalot of work but eventually they also have to take your complaint seriously.

 

Google search the councillor for any flaws in his byusiness, look up companies house, do searches on his income.

 

Make sure that  the barn is being taxed as a commercial residence. Make sure the lorries are being taxed, mot,d correctly etc.

 

It took me over 7 years to stop planning and and a commercial business being run by my next door neighbour. 7 years seems a long time but it was well worth it in the end not to have a music event once a week with over 300 people in attendance, and a music event of 5000 people once a year.

 

Brown envelopes exchanging hands is what you are looking for...also look for relationships within the council

 

Eventually I found out that a councillor who had passed some of the licnces had a son who was also the director for the music, who was also related to the neighbour by way of a marriage within the family...none of their relationships had been offered as a conflict of interest, so they all got done

 

If you want it stopped dont give in, if you are willing to put the ffort in do so....or you are stuck with it and a house worth less, your choice...good luck

Awesome advice! Thanks.