Bogged down with the Planners!

kormak

Hi Folks,

Haven't been in here in a few months..!
My planning application is beginning to gather momentum and should be a couple more weeks before I have everything in order to submit to the council.
Over the past few months I have heard nothing but negative aspects to what the planners do and don't like!!
I'm applying to Meath CoCo. and as some might know they are a very strict about most things...
Just wondering what everyone else about the following points:

Firstly, My percolation test on the site has been completed and the engineer who carried out the test advised that the ground wasn't great, the test will most likely fail, but they will write up a report and survey to benefit my application as much as possible!
I spoke to my engineer about this and he advised he will get a crowd in to carry out a "bath system" survey on the land and possibly a raised percolation.
I'm told that the planners don't look too kindly on these proposals?
what other options are there?

I've also heard that if there are more than 5 houses in a row from 250m radius from the site, it's considered a rainbow development.
Beside my site is 3 houses in a row and a fourth house further on up about 200 yards from the site.
will come down heavily on this issue?

Finally has anyone encountered any planning issues with Bay Windows or overhangs?
I have both in my plans but have been told that the planners are not too keen on them!
The Bay windows are not steel square shaped which are considered an urban feature not to be used in rural housing.

Anyhow, I'm currently having a local politician proof read my local needs assessment and forms as well as gathering as much documentation to support it.

If anyone has any advice on the above it would be much appreciated.

muffler

Best advice I can give you is to look for a pre planning meeting with the planner for the area. The present planning and development act accommodates such meetings and in fact its something that the planners must accede to.

You seem to have several issues so look for your meeting and bring someone with you and take your own notes of the meeting. You may want a local councilor to push for an early date.

ircoha

OP re

muffler wrote:

....and bring someone with you and take your own notes of the meeting.....

The best advice thus far here. I was on a Res Assoc committee and we had different meetings with different arms of the CoCo: from these experiences : your own minutes, with a friend in tow are VIP.

Gumbo

then, copy your notes and fax them to the planner or post them so he/she has a record of the meeting and what was discussed.