Village planning row resolved

Jane Hatcher of Aston Rise, Pulborough, received planning permission to extend her house and when a builder suggested she render it, she called Horsham District Council to ask if she had to apply for permission.

Officers said she could go ahead with it, but she was shocked later when complaints from neighbours led the council to correct that advice.

At the HDC Development Control Committee South last week, members heard that Miss Hatcher had been wrongly advised by the council that she could render the house without planning permission.

Pulborough parish councillor Andy Tillbrook said: “The development clearly was not in line with the original application and there was no consultation with the parish council.

“We had a tsunami of objections from Aston Rise residents. My personal view is that it is not in keeping.”

Despite this, HDC officers explained anyone can paint or render their property without permission so long as it is not under an existing planning application, as was the case here, in a Conservation Area or concerning a Listed building.

For that reason committee approved Miss Hatcher’s application to retain the rendering.