Hegarty Solicitors Incorporating Paul Browne Solicitors 66 South Street Demolition Dodgy Rutland County Council Planning Procedure.
Dear Mrs Briggs
Re: Customer Services and Planning application number 2015/0165/FUL
COMPLAINT
Firstly I must point out I write to you as a parish councillor for the Oakham SE ward
also a resident and not on behalf of Oakham Town Council.
My first complaint is about the appalling customer service I experienced yesterday when
I telephoned and spoke to the planning officer Nick Thower about the above application.
I was wondering if you record calls for training purposes?
Before I was connected I was holding for over ten minutes.
During the call Mr Thower was repeatedly attempting to fob me off, I interrupted him
to express calmly and politely that I disagreed with him and he repeatedly told me
to shut up and I was rude. Eventually I ended the call because I could see I was not going
to get anywhere.
Now fully understand why other residents find it frustrating when dealing with your
most failing department. This type of conduct by a paid officer is unacceptable and
unprofessional and I can not understand why Rutland County Council continues to
accept such poor standards?
Moving on to my complaint regarding the application.
In March 2015 Rutland County Council consulted with Oakham Town Council and
Placed at notice on the gate of 66 South Street all in compliance with planning
regulations.
The original notice was visible on the gate yesterday.
In August 2015 Rutland County Council returned a revised application to Oakham
Town Council but failed to display a new notice at the location.
On the 23rd September the application was approved by Rutland County Council
after a new revised plan was submitted: 15-10-P03 Rev D
This plan contained some small print at the top right hand side of a drawn plan
The small print contains many significant changes to the original plan including
changes to the roof, windows and removal of hedge and much more.
The was one very important line in my view hidden (original bungalow demolished)
The planning officer in my opinion should have consulted with the Town Council
and residents.
The bungalow was demolished yesterday. I feel the Town Council and residents
have been misled by the planning officer and the applicant Paul Browne Solicitors
because all the legal documents relating to this application clearly state in the
Proposal title in bold : Proposal: Part Demolition of existing residential bungalow and
extensions to front and addition of two new floors and change of use to offices
with associated works to form parking and landscaping areas.
The end result is the nearby conservation area is to be spoilt by a three
story office block a large garden area is to be tarmacked for parking
which I am sure will add to the flooding problems experienced by residents
of Brook Road.
Could you please explain why this development was treated as a major development?
I would like to finish by adding when I visited the council yesterday the lady who
came out from the planning office was very helpful and professional.
From
Martin Brookes
