I was asked by someone for some hints and tips about writing to comment on a planning application.  Here are some quick notes to start you off. 

All letters should be written individually.  A collective letter is treated as a single objection.  So, if there are four people in your house, then write four letters, one from each of you.  Each letter could say roughly the same thing, but you must make sure that each one is sent individually.

Write a letter of object for each of the planning application 07/02961/FUL and the listed buildings consent 07/02962/LBA, to ensure your objections are noted for each.

The letter should start with the sentence like "I object to the planning application 07/02961/FUL because...", and list your objections.  The ensures that your letter is treated as an objection, and not a comment.

Stick to the facts.  Be brief or expansive, write a bullet-list or a submission as if for a public enquiry, but don't be too flowery.

NEVER EVER say "because it is ugly and will de-value my house...".  This is not valid grounds for objecting, in the eyes of the planning committee, and would be disregarded.

If you can, and to ensure that the planning authority receive your letter, deliver it by hand to the planning office, in Trim Street, Bath, and get a member of staff on reception to date-stamp it.  That way, you know the planning office has received it, and cannot disregard your objections.  If your letter does not appear on the Council's website within a couple of days, telephone to them, and ask them why.

For more information about objections to commenting on planning applcations, take a look at the "Planning Pack", Section 9 - Commenting on Planning Applications.

For ideas on the grounds for objecting, see the Reasons for Objecting, on this site.  Also, take a look at other submissions, under's Planning Permission associated documents, and Listed Buildings associated documents.  These pages contain all the documents associated with the applications, and comments and objections thereto.  If you find someone has already mentioned something you were going to say, don't worry.  Say it again, and/or develop the point.  Repitition is emphasis.  Attempts to avoid repitition might result in omission.

Copy your letter to English Heritage, with a covering letter, telling them you are objecting to something which is a threat to Bath's, and England's, heritage, and that English Heritage should not support this scheme.  Hopefully, if they receive enough letters, it could prompt them to review their position on the development.

Copy your letter to the Heritage Lottery Fund, with a covering letter telling them that you think that you are objecting to something they are going to finance, and that it is an inappropriate use of Heritage Lottery Fund money.

Write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Rt. Hon. James Purnell MP), and The Minister of Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge MBE MP) informing them that the HLF is going to finance something that is putting our heritage at risk.  The HLF is a non-departmental public body, and its financial direction is set by the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport, and the HLF reports to Parliament through this department. 

Unfortunately, Don Foster MP is a supporter of The Holburne's project. However, he is our MP, and must represent us in Parliament, and to the various government departments.  Create a bandwagon on which he can jump.  All politicians will forget their principles if they are presented with an apparent majority of voters (by the way, Don Foster is the Lib-Dem shadow minister of Culture, Media, and Sport, so don't let him fob you off with non-committal responses).

Write to your councillors and to the councillors for Bathwick.  Insist they reprsent your views at the Planning Committee.

Keep a diary of your correspondence.  If you have written to someone, and you have received no response after a week, write again, giving the date and a summary of the original correspondence, and ask why you have not received a reply yet.  Keep the pressure on, especially with politicians.

If an individual or an organisation gives you a brush-off, mail-merged, response, write again, asking them to be more specific to your enquiries.  Keep on pestering, politely.  Remember, they are paid an awful lot of money, make them earn it, and make this proposed development an important issue they should be addressing.

Finally, keep me posted of the responses you receive.  Some of them might be enlightening as to the respondents agenda.

If anyone else has some tips when objecting to planning applications, please let me know.

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