On Wednesday, 20 February 2019 19:10:21 UTC, Roger Hayter wrote:
Mike Halmarack wrote:

On Tue, 19 Feb 2019 21:01:30 +0000, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:

On 19/02/2019 16:32, Andrew wrote:
On 18/02/2019 13:45, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 18/02/2019 12:55, Mike Halmarack wrote:
On Sun, 17 Feb 2019 12:58:25 +0000, Mike Halmarack
wrote:

My wife and I are 2 thirds of a trio living in a dilapidated cottage
with a large garden.[...]

Thanks for the good advice I've been given on this thread,
particularly that from Owain and TNP. It's helped to clarify the
situation and has moved me on in this project significantly.
I'm going to continue by writing letters explaining needs to the 3
main agencies recommended here, the council planning department, the
architects and the estate agents. This because I now have a much
clearer idea of the situation.

Dont write letters - just pop and and sit down with duty planning
officer and TALK.



And all he will say is 'submit full plans' (because that means you
pay a big FEE which pays his huge pension).

Not my experience at all. Why is tehre a duty officer if not to anser
questions?

The first question should be "where I am, is any development possible at
all?"

OK, I checked and in our neck of the woods, a duty planning officer
does not exist UNTIL plans are submitted, which then provides the only
entry available into the council's planning system.

I have heard that this happens in some districts nowadays. It is very
sad, because planning officers used to be an invaluable source of
advice.

Most of them these days are university twits/bimbos with not an ounce of practical experience.