Restoring the garden wall

[Merlin]

Update from the Planning Department.

Their opinion is that I do not need planning permission and they have stated this by letter. (But it is only an opinion.)

For complete peace of mind, I could apply for a a Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development, which would state that planning permission was not required, but this involves submitting scale drawings and plans as well as paying the fees for doing so. It would take 6-8 weeks for a response.

Or, as I now have a letter stating the Planning Officer's opinion that I do not need planning permission, I can commence on the work and only apply for a Certificate if anyone objects. Given that I have spoken to the neighbours and they are happy with me replacing the wall, then I would hope there would be no objections.

Unless anyone can advise me that I really need the certificate, I am inclined to crack on with the work and only pay for legal documents if there are objections.

Toffees all round

 

[Flyfisher]

Thanks for the update. It seems like you've been more than reasonable; you've checked that neighbours have no objections to the work and the planning people have confirmed their opinion that the work doen't require PP. On that basis I would go ahead with the work, happy that no-one could accuse me of being negligent.

There's still the niggling feeling that the planning dept would only give an "opinion" though, and not a definite ruling. I can sort of understand this, in the absence of a fully examined application, but it's a pity things can't be more definite.

Will you have building control involved in the works, to sign it off as structuraly sound? Just thinking of insurance/liability issues.