Before You Build
Dealing with councils
Communication is the name of the game. At the earliest possible time go and talk to your local council to ensure that you understand all of the critical planning issues before you start to develop your conceptual plans. Such issues as set backs from boundaries, heights of buildings, material selections, shadows on neighbours, privacy issues, and traffic, are all key areas Council will be interested in besides the more detailed compliance of your plans with the building regulations.
It will save you considerable time and money if you know the ground rules before you start. Your neighbours are important too because Council will listen to their concerns, neighbourhood disputes are one of the most common problems councils are asked to deal with each year, so again early communication with neighbours to avoid issues with new buildings or extensions is important to avoid conflict and understand any concerns and/or sensitivities.
If you follow a consultative approach and remove obstacles prior to lodging your plans you will save time, money and much aggravation - and get your plans approved at the first attempt - maybe!
Despite all your negotiations and best efforts you may still find Council have some problems - again try to negotiate a solution. Ultimately if all of this fails there you can take your chance in the Land and Environment Court - but be sure you have a good chance to win or again you will be wasting both time and money.
