So yesterday I was waiting for a client who had booked an appointment for a pre-session consultation at my home (no session booked yet), but she just didn't turn up. Again. For the second time. Because, you know, I've nothing better to do with my time than sit around waiting for her in case she feels like coming. Which, apparently, she didn't. Anyway, while I was waiting a man came to the door. He was from the council and was following up the neighbour's complaint. I told him the whole story and he was looking at me with like a, "Why am I here?" look on his face. He said he wouldn't waste my time by going out and measuring or anything since we had already sent the council full measurements, elevations and plans of the whole garden and proposed log cabin. He said he'd go back to the office and chase up our preliminary form and if we do need to get planning permission (I told him we were assuming we would) then he'd get the forms sent out a.s.a.p. He did say that there shouldn't be any problem getting planning permission, although not to quote him on that. Oh looky there, I guess I just did.
The whole time he was trying to be professional but you could tell he was trying not to roll his eyes. Everyone has responded like that when they find out about the neighbour's complaint, including our neighbour across the road and the ones on the other side of us. When telling people what has happened (usually in response to them asking when the cabin will go up) we've always done so by just telling them the facts without being mean about the neighbours or getting emotional because I really don't want to get into a neighbour war. But everyone is incredulous. Oh well, like I say to them, what will be will be and there's no use getting all het up about it.
So now it's hurry up and wait for the forms, then fill them in (again) and send them off (again) and hurry up and wait some more. Mr Council Man did say that the 6-8 weeks is a guideline within which the decision will be made so we're hoping for sooner rather than later, naturally. But there's nothing we can do to speed up the process.
