take away planning

kenny1979

hi all, we were recently refused planning permission on change of use from a restaurant to a take away on the grounds of signage and ventilation. the planner came looking for further information on both these issues, we answered them by saying we would be using the existing ventilation system and using a corporate logo for the signage. he then asked for clarification of info on the ventilation system as he was worried about the odours. we replied with a letter from our ventilation supplier saying that we would be using an odour abatement system. we got word from a contact in the planning office that he had issues with this so to contact him. we left numerous messages from ourselves and our architect to contact us to help clarify any issues he had.....which he never did.
we then got refusal on the grounds that as he did not know whether the ventilation system would conform to the necessary standards he recommended refusal and he felt the signage we proposed would have a negative impact on the area and was of too large a scale(what we proposed was actually smaller than the existing signage and was going just over the door.) we would quite easily have changed the signage.
my question is does the planner not have to answer our calls, as a friend who applied for the same thing was in contact with their planner the entire time and helped guide them, so they got planning with conditions, i do not understand why he could not have contacted us to clarify or given us planning with conditions.
is our only option to go to ABP or reapply or is their anyone we can complain to about the planner as it seems he could not have bein more unhelpful.
sorry for the long winded post.

sinnerboy

An appeal will take longer than a fresh application . Put more effort into presentation of information on signage and vents . Look at the various reports in the planning file , at the public counter - for more clues . You will get nowhere complaining about the planner - sad but true

Mellor

In short no, the planner doesn't have to answer to you.
Its up to you to provide the required info, if there are holes or concerns then the planner will often just refuse.
Have a meeting, sort the issues and re-apply.

muffler

Id agree with the above posts. Get down to the local planning office and ask to see the hard copy of the file. Trawl through it to see what notes were made by the planner. Look for a pre planning meeting and try to solve the issues on which you have been refused.

As stated the planner does not have to meet or talk to you during the course of an application although there is a recommendation from most managers that they be more amenable in this regard. The planner is however required to meet you for a pre planning meeting.