Rant: I screwed up!

[51rider]

& I'm kicking myself!!

I submitted an application & fee for a non material change to my garage that I have planning permission and building control approval for.

I wanted to change the finish from brick to brick piers (quoin finish) at each corner and render (stucco) between the piers. I also added in roof lights and the window to the yard store on the side wall that was missed by the architect.

4 weeks to the day, I get the decision-REJECTED!!!!

I missed the condition on the original grant of planning that stipulated that any additional windows in the flank wall would be subject to planning application/approval.

To make matters worse, the original approved drawings show a ridge height of 4M(13'2"). There is no eaves height given. On the revised drawings, an eaves height is shown of 2.5M (8'2"). Planning used the scale drawings to calculate an eaves height of only 2.24M(7'4"). Turns out this is a major no-no.

If I'd just submitted rough drawings, marked them as not to scale & with no dimensions, they would still have been rejected due to the flank window but the rest would have been OK.

I'm now staring down the barrell of a fresh application ($300ish) and approx 12 weeks to wait for a decision after submission of the revised plans.

I can't bame anyone other than myself but it is just sooo maddening!!!

Heres's the link to the drawings (I hope) http://cip.havering.gov.uk:8080/PlanApp/jsp/redirectthumbnails.jsp?RowNo=4&Source=S&Year=2010&Plan=N

 

[bazzateer]

Mate,

I sympathise. Mine was refused on the final day as well.

 

[polo2k]

gutted, especially with all this chuffin weather were having!!

we should start a UK thread for us lot to have a groan

 

[bazzateer]

No! We're British - we don't complain, stiff upper lip and all that! Harumph!

 

[londonsteve]

Well what do you expect from the planning department, it's getting worse as they are all trying to justify their jobs amid the layoffs. Jist persevere abd you'll get it also don't you get a free submission after a refusal?.

 

[polo2k]

it it makes you feel any better ill let you build it at my house, windows n all lol

 

[51rider]

Baz, I thought of you when I got the decision, however unlike you I do have permission to build.

Londonsteve, no, I don't get a free submission nor can I appeal as it was a non-materiel variation application that I made.

My options are:
1. Re-submit this application without the window for the shed part and with the eaves height amended. (indication from the planning officer that this would be acceptable & go through in less than the stipulated 8 weeks)
2. Re-submit a full planning application to include the window and the increased eaves height. The downside to this is time & cost. I'm looking at 2 weeks to have the drawings done followed by 8 weeks for the application process. Costs are in the $1000 region but $700 would have to be spent in any case as amended construction drawings are required.

So what would you do?

I'm putting the window in as the yard store would also double up as the potting shed & plants don't grow without light. The wife is already mumbling about having the damn things in the house .....
The eaves height increase, would allow me to get a larger vehicle in the garage (if needed) but more importantly allows me to build the soffit storage without making the garge feel cramped.

At present, my thoughts are: I have permission to build a garage-get the existing structure demolished and the foundations laid. What goes on the top of this I don't need to worry about until this part is done. It could be 4-5 weeks until I get to this point by which time, it will only be a matter of 3-4 weeks before I get the revised planninng decision. It will only be a matter of trimming timbers to suit either the original dimensions or the new, revised ones.

Other members thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.