Ian Britton's story

"We contacted Planning Aid for London to seek advice about how to make objections to a planning application to build a four storey block of flats behind our homes.

The advice we received was concise, clear and practical. It was extremely useful in enabling us to prepare letters of objection to the plans proposed. We presented our case at the planning meeting and were delighted that planning consent was refused by the planning committee. The applicant then appealed this decision and we once again asked for help from Planning Aid for London.

We attended the planning appeal hearing and put our case, and were pleased that the Planning Inspectorate upheld the Council's decision and planning permission was refused.

I must tell you that, before this, we (the local residents and myself) knew nothing about planning matters. We are extremely grateful to Planning Aid for London for their patience and encouragement throughout; they not only gave us encouragement and confidence to put forward our objections to the planning application, but most importantly explained to us – in layman's terms – the planning process. We feel certain that understanding this process proved absolutely invaluable to us."

Funding from London Councils helps Planning Aid for London provide services including a telephone and face-to-face advisory service on all planning issues for groups and individuals, particularly those people who have most difficulty in accessing the planning system such as disabled people.  The charity also encourages effective community involvement in planning and urban regeneration across London in both regional and local planning issues, and provides specialist training to community groups, developers, councillors and officers on all aspects of planning and effective engagement.