Farm safety and planning officers

[Grass And Grain]

Having just applied for pp, I expect we'll be getting a visit from the planning officer.

People tell me they just turn up unannounced and wander about the place. Is this true?

Can't have that going on. Any thoughts on how to manage this with regards to H&S. Don't want a H&S issue, but equally don't want to get off on the wrong foot with planning officer.

 

[Drillman]

Having just applied for pp, I expect we'll be getting a visit from the planning officer.

People tell me they just turn up unannounced and wander about the place. Is this true?

Can't have that going on. Any thoughts on how to manage this with regards to H&S. Don't want a H&S issue, but equally don't want to get off on the wrong foot with planning officer.

I would think if they did that they would leave themselves wide open to prosecution for unsafe working practices by the HSE.

maybe a polite email to the relevant dept explaining it’s a working site and visitors by appointment only would be in order.

they wouldn’t get past the receptionist or security in an office block or industrial workplace without an appointment.

 

[Al R]

Say due to Covid restrictions you need to be made aware of anyone coming onto the site so that you can make sure that anything they touch or go near is sanitised

 

[Bongodog]

Last time I had a visit the officer rang and made an appointment. They don't usually even visit unless they want to twist your arm to change the plans. If your application is decided by the council planning committee they will visit, but will also make an appointment. Neither have any right to enter the premises without permission.
Planning officers like to think they are rather more important than they really are. My visit was due to my application for a front fence and gates in a conservation area. The officer wanted me to have wooden gates rather than steel. I pointed out that the two neighbours over the road both had wooden gates, one never close theirs as they have swelled/dropped, the other can't open theirs due to the same issue, and I would rather leave the hideous 1970's concrete block wall and 5 bar farm gate than go along with his idea. Permission came through a few days later !!
My previous application we never saw any sign of the planning officer and zero communication from them.

 

[Highland Mule]

Get a copy of this sign at your entrance

Is

 

[Al R]

Get a copy of this sign at your entrance

 

[Tarw Coch]

That’s better, I can read that.


Can’t underst it but at least I can read it.

 

[steveR]

Planning officers like to think they are rather more important than they really are. My visit was due to my application for a front fence and gates in a conservation area. The officer wanted me to have wooden gates rather than steel. I pointed out that the two neighbours over the road both had wooden gates, one never close theirs as they have swelled/dropped, the other can't open theirs due to the same issue, and I would rather leave the hideous 1970's concrete block wall and 5 bar farm gate than go along with his idea. Permission came through a few days later !!

My previous application we never saw any sign of the planning officer and zero communication from them.

Perfection....

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Planning Officers don't have a right of entry, unlike Planning Enforcement Officers so if they wish to view the site from anywhere other than the public highway then they need to make an appointment with either you or your agent.
I have been involved in over 50 applications this year and not a single Case Officer has sought entry without an appointment.

 

[cows sh#t me to tears]

That’s better, I can read that.


Can’t underst it but at least I can read it.

Meh....first time I've read it too was there when we bought it a few months ago.
Think it means just f**k off in beaurocrat speak...

 

[Bald Rick]

Planning Officers don't have a right of entry, unlike Planning Enforcement Officers so if they wish to view the site from anywhere other than the public highway then they need to make an appointment with either you or your agent.
I have been involved in over 50 applications this year and not a single Case Officer has sought entry without an appointment.

Is right.

The PEO will want to take lots of photographs, measure everything, record something you may say and WILL be wearing a lanyard.

 

[Forever Fendt]

Planning Officers don't have a right of entry, unlike Planning Enforcement Officers so if they wish to view the site from anywhere other than the public highway then they need to make an appointment with either you or your agent.
I have been involved in over 50 applications this year and not a single Case Officer has sought entry without an appointment.

I had one turn up and view the building without us been aware he also referenced the fact that he had been in the building that at the time had ewes and lambs penned up in single pens ,there is a section on the form that asks if the proposal can be seen from a footpath or public highway to which we had answered no and provided contact details but he never contacted .There is a lot more to this particular case as members of the council did defiantly not want it so perhaps there behaviour in this case was defiantly not the normal way of doing things

 

[Forever Fendt]

Is right.

The PEO will want to take lots of photographs, measure everything, record something you may say and WILL be wearing a lanyard.

something to grab hold off and strangle them with

 

[Exfarmer]

Having just applied for pp, I expect we'll be getting a visit from the planning officer.

People tell me they just turn up unannounced and wander about the place. Is this true?

Can't have that going on. Any thoughts on how to manage this with regards to H&S. Don't want a H&S issue, but equally don't want to get off on the wrong foot with planning officer.

If you are concerned, write a very polite friendly note to the planning department, that due to safety concerns you would like to be informed of any proposed visit. They do not have any more rights than any other member if the public. However if you have no locked gates they are free ro wander around Just as Joe Smith is. Keep them on side at all costs if you can!

 

[fieldfarmer]

If you are concerned, write a very polite friendly note to the planning department, that due to safety concerns you would like to be informed of any proposed visit. They do not have any more rights than any other member if the public. However if you have no locked gates they are free ro wander around Just as Joe Smith is. Keep them on side at all costs if you can!

So as "Joe Smith" I can wander around any where that hasn't a locked gate? Are you sure?

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

I've seen a sign somewhere that says "THIS IS A MULTI-HAZARD SITE" etc etc

A polite email encouraging the planning officer to make an appointment because the land is a working site with livestock/machinery/heights/fall/chem risks.

Aside from Covid, people shouldn't be wandering round farmyards uninvited.

The down side is that you might then be asked for a copy of your induction procedures for visitors and a risk assessment to cover the planning officer's employers...

 

[Bloders]

I would think if they did that they would leave themselves wide open to prosecution for unsafe working practices by the HSE.

maybe a polite email to the relevant dept explaining it’s a working site and visitors by appointment only would be in order.

they wouldn’t get past the receptionist or security in an office block or industrial workplace without an appointment.

personally, i dont favour this.
Planning officers attend working sites all the time, if I were in their shoes, i would take it as you taking down to me, so not the best start.

as above, id ring them up and ask what the process is with site visits due to Covid and that you have restrictions in place. take it from there.
Id also try and sort any obvious H&S issues out

 

[Deereone]

My experience of planning visits are that they are pre-arranged. Which is more than can be said for rights of way officers (who turn up with the pre-informed Ramblers assoc. in tow).

 

[Drillman]

personally, i dont favour this.
Planning officers attend working sites all the time, if I were in their shoes, i would take it as you taking down to me, so not the best start.

as above, id ring them up and ask what the process is with site visits due to Covid and that you have restrictions in place. take it from there.
Id also try and sort any obvious H&S issues out

I very much doubt the planning lot can turn up on site and wander about without first making there presence known to someone in charge. Elf and safety won’t permit it!

 

[br jones]

Just had a planning officer vist a new project ,didn't come in ,just looked from boundary gate,all questions asked and answered by email