How you can object
Please do not object yet, there is no proposal to object to.
Once the application has been submitted, you can register your objection in a number of ways , (please do not send your objection in yet as it will not be taken into account):
You can either:
- Access the North Yorkshire Council planning portal and enter the planning reference (we will provide a direct link to this when we know) into the search bar. This will take you to the application. From here click on “comments”, and either register (if you haven’t done so already) or login to make a comment (this will be your objection “letter”).
- Write an email outlining your objection points and send it to: planning.control@northyorks.gov.uk
- Send a letter of objection to: Planning Services, North Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Racecourse Lane, Northallerton. DL7 8AD
Key details you must include:
In all cases, you should ensure you include the planning application reference number, your name and postal address. We will update our website with the planning application number once it is issued.
How to write objection letters
- It is important that any objection is based on something the Council can use in their decision-making process. These are known as ‘material considerations’. More about this below
- Your objection can be long or short – it doesn’t have to be complicated or technical; it just needs to contain the items you feel strongly about.
- You can object to matters such as how you feel any development will negatively impact on the village, the surrounding area, roads, traffic congestion and of course how it will make a difference to you as an individual. Try to make a specific point rather than just saying you don’t like it – say why.
- You can cover impacts during the build phase, as well as the completed stage.
- Remember, the aim is to submit as many valid objections as possible, so if there are two or three of you in a household then please send one each (but with different wording!)
- For more detailed guidance about what to include in an objection letter see our guide below.
Why Objection Letters are Important
If you do not wish this development to go ahead, it is essential that you submit an objection to North Yorkshire Council.
If only a few people object, the Councillors, who decide whether or not to approve the application, will think nobody is bothered about the development, which will make them more inclined to approve it. If we can show them by the weight of numbers of objections that there is massive public opposition to the development, they are much more likely to refuse it. This is where individuals can make a vital contribution to the campaign.
What exactly is a formal objection
It is a “letter” setting out the fact that you object to the application, together with the reasons why you are objecting. You can send a letter, an email, or submit on the North Yorkshire Planning Portal. We will explain below how to structure your objection and how to submit it.
Whichever method you choose, your objection will need to have some key details, detailed below.
- The unique planning application reference number assigned by the Planning Department to the application. We will provide this here once an application has been submitted.
- Your full name and postal address. More than one person from the same household can object, and we would encourage as many objections from each household as possible.
What should I include in my Objection
Focus your objection on issues that are relevant to planning, known as material considerations. This is critical to success. Examples of material considerations based on the Hallam Consultation Information are:
- Is it a Sustainable Location?
- Traffic generation, highway safety
- Loss of Agricultural Land.
- Complete loss of Heritage Assets of the former Airfield buildings/Bunkers and removal of the WW2 runways.
- Impact of the Heritage setting of the Tockwith Conservation Area and several locally listed buildings including the Church
- Increased pressure on local services. Schools, Doctors, Dentists,
- Impact on the landscape
- Impact on local business in the adjacent Industrial Park from potential noise complaints from new occupants of this proposed development
- Employment opportunities with the businesses that will have to move from the site itself
- Flood risk and sewage capacity
- Loss habitat and impact on biodiversity
- Local, strategic, regional and national planning policies
Clearly outline your reasons for objecting, referencing specific local development plan policies where possible.
What is not a material consideration
A consideration is only material if it relates to planning and fairly and reasonably relates to the development being decided. If a concern is about private interests, personal circumstances, or matters controlled by other laws, it fails that test – no matter how genuine or deeply felt it is.
The below will not be considered in any objection by the Decision Makers:
- Loss of a private view. There is no right to a view in planning law, however cherished it is
- The effect on property values. Whether a proposal raises or lowers the value of nearby homes is not a planning matter
- Construction disturbance – noise, dust and disruption purely during the building works (as opposed to the finished use)
- The “precedent” argument on its own. Each application is decided on its own merits; the fear that approval will “open the floodgates” is not, by itself, a reason to refuse
- Competition and loss of trade. That a new shop or business might harm an existing one is not a planning consideration
- The identity, character, motives or conduct of the applicant. Permission runs with the land, not the person
- Personal circumstances of objectors or the applicant, save in genuinely exceptional cases
How can I make an informed objection
If an application is submitted, we will provide further guidance here on the relevant Local and National Planning Policies that can be referenced in any objection.
If you would like further information on the Local Harrogate Area Planning Policies and National Planning Requirements. See the links below to download the relevant documents:
How should I structure my objection
We suggest a framework and wording for an objection letter or comments
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to object to the proposed Hallam Land development (reference number XXXXXX). My objection is on the following grounds.
Concentrate on valid planning concerns (material considerations, as above).
Support your objections with evidence wherever possible. This can include your own experiences, data, and expert opinions, that demonstrate the potential negative effects of the proposed development and relevant local and national Planning Policies.
Clearly outline your main points, linking them to the relevant planning policy number if known, and supporting them with evidence where you can.
To conclude, you could add something along the following lines.
“For the reasons outlined above, I request refusal of this application”.
Final tips: keep your tone respectful, stick to relevant planning considerations, be concise, submit before the deadline, and keep a copy of your objection.
Where should I post my object to
Do not object yet. There is no application to Object to.
If one is submitted there are three ways to send your objection.
- The quickest and easiest way is to access the North Yorkshire Council planning portal and enter the planning reference (we will provide a direct link to this when we know) into the search bar. This will take you to the application. From here you will need to click on comments, then either register or login and make a comment (this will be your objection “letter”).
- You can send a letter of objection to North Yorkshire Council using the postal service, addressing it to: Planning Services, North Yorkshire Council, County Hall, Racecourse Lane, Northallerton, DL7 8AD
- You can email your objection to this email address: planning.control@northyorks.gov.uk
In all cases, it is essential that you include the planning application reference number, your name, and postal address, otherwise your objection will be ignored. More than one person from the same household can object, and we would encourage as many objections from each household as possible.
Other things you can do to help
You can support Sustainable Tockwith activities in a number of ways:
- Once an application is submitted, give your time to read reports and drawings to provide comments if you think the proposals are not in compliance with any relevant local and national planning policies
- We particularly need the skills of people with experience in:
- Highways/Transport Consultant
- Planning Policy
- Heritage or Architecture
- Make a donation on our GoFundMe using the button below. Alternatively you could make a bank transfer or pay in at the Post Office (to: Sustainable Tockwith Ltd, 80-22-60, 29535464).
- Any contributions will help with legal advice, engagement of expert consultants familiar with Planning Applications, printing etc.
- Spread the word – share this campaign with your family, friends and colleagues and ask them to also formally object. Every objection letter counts so the more the better eg. more than one letter per household is accepted.
- If you have skills in fundraising, social media or legal and some time to help, please make contact with us on hello@sustainable-tockwith.org.uk – Your Village Needs You!!
- Keep up to speed with what is happening by visiting our Sustainable Tockwith Facebook page – see the link in the page footer.
Join the team
If you have any skills you would be happy to share or even if you just want to lend a hand please let us know
email us directly at hello@sustainable-tockwith.org.uk.