Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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Lorrainelovesplants
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agricultural rates and AOCWe had a visit from the Planning enforcement officer on Friday! and Im still cross and upset!
This is the 2nd time in 2 and a half years he's come, and the first time he was quite officious and rude, suggesting that I was trying to get away with buying a cheap house and pretending to farm it all the time, and I quote'didI have a little part time job in Tescos?'
Needless to say, when he turned up on Friday he didnt get a warm reception. In fact I didnt let him get out of the car. He introduced himself, called me by the previous owners name (which pissed me right off), and when I explained that I knew exactly who he was, and couldnt understand why he was here (again) unless to snoop, and that I had informed my solicitor the last time.
Anyway he left rather soon after I told him that I was not upset, but cross that he was there, and that I was very busy - farming!
Does anyone know exactly what these people are allowed to do? Can they just turn up without an appointment?
On a slightly different vein, should we be paying domestic rates, as we are an AOC property and farm it? Does anyone know?
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Treacodactyl
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I can't help with the AOC questions but when I asked our planners why I was being told I needed to apply for planning permission, to do something similar to lots of surrounding properties who hadn't got planning, I was told they would only investigate them if someone made an official complaint.
Any details on their web site or could you ask why they are turning up?
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Rob R
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Re: agricultural rates and AOC | Lorrainelovesplants wrote: | | On a slightly different vein, should we be paying domestic rates, as we are an AOC property and farm it? Does anyone know? |
As far as I'm aware it depends on wether the dwelling is temporary (ie caravan) or permanent.
Our planning officer liked to turn up specifically when we weren't there to do a site visit & then ring up with innane questions later, based upon her lack of knowledge of the site & dodgy memory.
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wellington womble
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What is it with planning officers. They are quite simply the most unreasonable, unintelligent, arrogant, rude and unfair jobsworths I have ever come across - in several different areas. I think I will have to downgrade estate agents, and put planning officers over them.
Sorry, LLP - that's not a lot of help. Make a formal complaint in writing. As soon as you write things down and name names, they'll be hauled over the coals at least. Keep it polite and factual, but frosty. Ask them for clairification about the rates - it's their flippin job! I think it's because it's significantly easier for them to get 'results' by chasing the little guys to the letter of the law, than by trying to get the real culprits. I'm not often given to swearing, but planning really make me want to use all sorts of 'language'!
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RichardW
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Re: agricultural rates and AOC | Lorrainelovesplants wrote: |
Can they just turn up without an appointment?
On a slightly different vein, should we be paying domestic rates, as we are an AOC property and farm it? |
Yes & Yes
All farms pay domestic council rates but not biss rates (often not for diversification either). If they could not just turn up but had to make an apointment then they would never catch people out doing stuff they should not be doing.
I assume you are registered selfemployed & have accounts that show you are "farming"? If so then use them. Make enquiries (not a complaint yet) why you are being investigated (but then 2 visits in 2 years is hardly a lot, just being a farm we get 3-4 per year from some one or other).
Are they having a tighten up on AOC's?
Are they failing to meet targets on AOC's?
Richard
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Lorrainelovesplants
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Thanks guys!
I think we were not the only ones to be 'visited' as he had a pile of folders on the passenger seat in the car, but it was the attitude. The smirky' I dont understand why your upset', when I thern reminded him how sexist and patronising he was on his initial visit which I followed up with a three page letter after consulting my solicitor.
I was also cross at being refferred to as Mrs Bray, who was the previous owner who ran our place as a holiday let! (and not my fav person)
I admit I probably overreacted (he went away with a flea in his ear)and wonder if it is worth me writing again to clarify why he visited.
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