CRC Your Rights To Object Explained

FROM THE COMMITTEE - How To Object:-

We are indebted to ROY SPEER and MICHAEL DADE for allowing us to quote from their book ‘HOW TO STOP AND INFLUENCE PLANNING PERMISSION’ as a basis for the following advice on how you can object to the College Redevelopment

We have found this book most useful and informative and recommend it without hesitation to anyone researching this planning application or facing a similar situation in the future

Grounds for objecting specifically to the City College Development for those wishing to speak at the planning committee or those wishing to write stating their objections independently please accept the following advice, the committee will be happy to write the letter on behalf of individuals or letters for group signatories, but all should be based on the following-

GROUNDS FOR OBJECTING
Planning Policy
· Conflict with Structure Plan, Local Plan or UDP policies (click here for Local Plan ) EMP18 and EMP19 specifically applies to the college campus.
· Not complying with Councils informal policy guidance

Special Descriptions
· Loss of important Tree Preservation Order trees
· Conflict with character of Conservation area (west side of Ipswich Road
directly opposite College)

Site Considerations
· Over development
· Excessive bulk or scale
· Incompatibility with the design of existing buildings on the campus(if Phase 2
does not take place)
· Insufficient parking spaces in accordance with PPG 13 (Planning Policy
Guidance 13)
· Failure to meet Council’s access and on-site turning standards

Neighbours
· Overlooking adjoining properties
· Blocking natural light
· General noise, disturbance, smells, pollution
· Unsociable hours of operation

Surrounding Area
· Dominating nearby buildings
· Conflict with the pattern of development
· Poor relationship with adjoining buildings
· Visually damaging in the landscape and setting
· Conflict with the character of the area (incompatibility with the design of
existing residential areas on three sides and conservation area containing listed
buildings on Ipswich Road)
· Environmental damage caused by vehicles
· Inconvenience for pedestrians, road system is inadequate
· Prejudice highway safety(both on and off the campus due to pedestrians
crossing roads especially on campus)
· Loss of open space
· Better alternative sites available (e.g. green field sites adjacent to University
Campus, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital or Cattle Market. Hall road
or any other available brown field site in the City centre)

Again with the help of Roy Speer and Michael Dade, we suggest the following Do’s:-

·Do- use the notes you made at the ‘Consultation Open Days’ or when studying
the Outline Planning Application
·Do- limit your comments to the actual College Redevelopment proposals
·Do- base your arguments on known facts
·Do- back up your assertions with evidence where you can
·Do- concentrate on planning issues
·Do- explain why the proposal would be harmful and to whom
·Do- make your points as brief and concise as you can
·Do- be as specific in your claims as you can
·Do- word process the letter if possible, failing that, write very clearly
·Do- quote the application reference number and address

The Planning Officer overseeing the application is Mr Neil Campbell, Planning Department, City Hall, St. Peter's Street, Norwich NR2 1NH.
The application number is 08/00255/O the address is City College, 5 Ipswich Road, Norwich, NR2 2LJ

How to make your objections more effective
· Do- stick to relevant planning grounds, which have been outlined earlier, you
don’t have to cover all grounds, just those you believe will affect you (this is
very important do not raise or elaborate on issues that you know will not affect
you) make sure you focus clearly and succinctly on the main issues.
· Do not- refer to non-planning issues or be emotional. Both of these will
undermine your case
· If, like the committee, you are College and student friendly and support an
upgrading of the College facilities, but are concerned by its density, mass,
height, overlooking, your loss of privacy, road, car park etc. of the current
proposals, state how you would like to see the proposals amended if planning
permission were to be given (this is optional)

And the Don’ts
· Do Not- exaggerate the likely effects of the proposal
· Do Not- make personal remarks about the College or their motives
· Do Not- make assumptions as to the applicant’s (the College) intentions.
However, you may like to raise concerns about the proposals (see Site
Considerations)
· Do Not- include factors unrelated to the use of the land, such as the value of
your property (although the reasons why your property would be devalued might be
relevant)
· Do Not- make unsubstantiated claims
· Do Not- use emotive generalisations (e.g. we’ve had enough problems, how
much more can we take? etc)
· Do Not- underline – USE CAPITIAL LETTERS or exclamation marks in the
text!!!!!

NOTE – Also please remember Planning matters do not include the following:-
· Spoiling of views
· Effect on property values
· Covenant affecting properties
· Nuisance caused by building work

Also please remember whichever method of objection you choose either individually or with a group letter you can only put your signature to one letter