The Learning Curve Planning Permissions! Taking time to Praise ;-)

What a week I have had, this year for one reason and another the Other Half and I decided we would spend our two week holiday at home instead of abroad and concentrate on all the things that always needed doing but we just hadn’t got around to doing.

My other half is doing his bit for harmony at home and I almost have a new bath fitted :-) however my part of the holiday has take somewhat of an unexpected turn and off I have gone on a planning adventure. I really do wish I wouldn't do it at times - learning curves that is because nothing is ever as simple as it first appears.

For one reason and another I keep finding my self communicating with our Local District Council and have been flung into the world of planning and planning applications.

What an adventure it has turned out to be. It does not matter what application , where or what for even when. 

It’s a different language and nothing appears logical, well I suppose it is logical if you know what you are reading and looking at in the first place.

After a week of going backwards and forwards to my District Council I have started to learn what sort of wording means what sort of thing and how the clues are there to be read but at times just very subtle, difficult to spot and easily missed to the untrained eye. They don't even need to be words sometimes the clue is in the drawing!

Then again the untrained eye can actually ask quite ask quite simple questions that lead to complicated answers that lead to more questions the answers to which some  experts could overlook.

My advice to anyone looking at planning applications past or present 

If you are in the position of not being sure of what you are reading or looking at. Never assume and always ask the questions and if the answers don't make sense don't give up and keep asking until it makes sense. Do not assume anything. 

My learning curve was vast last week and one I won't be forgetting it in a hurry.Including no question is too daft, because the answers can be quite revealing.

Yes I included our Parish Council, District Councillors and Residents Association with my concerns but I don't want to wait a month for answers from Parish Council at their next meeting.

Residents Association has been very proactive but once again I want the answers directly from District Council, 

One of my my District Councillor's has also been proactive but once again I like to know the answers specifically given in response to my questions.

I can only praise SDC planning department in taking the time to respond to my basic questions but I can't pretend that the answers given haven't raised more questions because they have! and I will continue to ask questions.

As should everyone else that has a concern with any planning application, past or present. Especially if it has been given permission with conditions!