Alan Jeffery

An open letter.

There is a guy who lives within the above Borough.
He has a severely Autistic daughter.
He built her a playhouse, which is a source of joy to her, and brings local children to play who otherwise might not give her the time of day.
Stevenage Council, being diligent, have realised that he should have planning permission for this small building, not lending much to Grand Designs like it does.
Of course they are held to account as to upholding the law.
Here's an answer to the dilemma facing Stevenage Council.
Be Busy. Too busy to deal with it. Put it on the back burner. Write to the guy, telling him that of course planning law must be upheld. Then sit on it, until you have time to deal with it, considering you must have stacks of other more pressing stuff to do. Gypsies to move on, Starbucks taking over the World, a Pink **** Palace in the High Street, that sort of thing.
A Suggestion would be to leave it for say, ten years or so, or when the family have moved on.
There are a lot of otherwise pressing problems that can be dealt with like this.

If anyone of you lives within the confines of the Auspicious Council in question, could you alert them to this possibility? - Just a suggestion..

David Lock

Local MP

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

But... What if a child playing on it injures themselves? I agre with what your saying. Maybe the builder should put a note on it saying play at own risk or have a word with the parents to get them to have their say

Alan Jeffery

I don't think it's a safety issue, it isn't a tree house, more the council putting their nose in.
My point is that despite the fact of having to enforce certain issues in the interests of public order, they don't have to do it TODAY, they can do it TOMORROW. That's what happens in places like Spain, where they have a more relaxed attitude. Unless you happen to be British of course.

ReallyReallyGoodMeat

I don't think Spain is a good example of how to get things done (or not)

Alan Jeffery

My interpretation is that if you don't want your council to do anything, move to Spain! Just don't tell them you're British.

The point of the post is to demonstrate that there are alternatives to persuing the little guy with the small problem. Like noting the issue, then leaving him alone.

pflowers

I've had quite a lot of dealings with planning departments and they very rarely do anything off their own back, I think you will find in this case someone reported the building to the council and they therefore have to act.

Leslie

They could of course just give him planning permission for the little building.

Les

Ant

*flame suit on *
Putting the autism aside as its irrelevant in this actual process but wouldn't of been logical for the person that made it check first ?

Alan Jeffery

Yes, but being VERY BUSY they don't have to do it TODAY, if you get my drift....

Alan Jeffery

I've always found that with Councils, if you ask, you don't get.
I agree that the "A" word shouldn't be relevant, but it is isn't it? or it should be, in a compassionate society. In these situations, it's the footsoldier who elects to be too busy to actually send in the heavy mob who gets my approval.

specialx

I do hear you completely but personally I wouldn't give flying **** about the council/neighbours If one of my kids needed a playhouse as therapy in my own garden!


My Sister in law gets a £250 per month handout to take her autistic daughter horse riding as it has been "proven" to help people in her condition, I looked between the lines and came up with horse ridding has naff all to do with it she's just out having a good time which can be done for a lot less cash or by building a play house in the garden! I may be way of the mark!?

Alan Jeffery

I'd say you were, yes.
There is a system called "disability living allowance" which can be used to supplement specialist care. If the lady uses some of that to take her daughter horse riding, which she probably loves, good luck to her.

specialx

No Alan I asked her and the money is specifically for horse ridding, she likes it but her mum openly admits its not directly helping her at all!

Another great use of taxpayers hard earned IMO