Objecting to the ARGOS Planning Application

Objecting to the ARGOS Planning Application

• an “In My View” article by NIGEL WARD, offering a few hints on how to make your objection count.

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The North Yorks Enquirer has published a number of very informative articles concerning the ‘regeneration’ of the former ARGOS building on Newborough, in the heart of Castle Ward, Scarborough – an officially designated ‘deprived area’ and within the Council’s Conservation Zone.

Here, in reverse chronological order, are the URL-links to some of the most widely read:

• http://nyenquirer.uk/argos-objection/
• http://nyenquirer.uk/exclusive-argos-emails/
• http://nyenquirer.uk/siddons-goofs-again/
• http://nyenquirer.uk/unqualified-disaster/
• http://nyenquirer.uk/30m-blank-cheque/

In response to these articles, many readers have asked how best to oppose the ARGOS Planning Application.

It is vital to remember that only objections which address themselves to the Council’s stated ‘Planning Objectives’ will merit consideration.

It is pointless to wax lyrical about how deeply affronted you are regarding imprudence of the £22 million loan from the Public Works Loans Board (PWLB). It is equally pointless to complain about how much the proposed 20m high building will obscure your view of Venus rising. Nor will anything be achieved by lamenting the disturbance to the lives of the colony of starlings you have been observing with a numinous sense of wonder for many years, however much that may have contributed to your mental health.

Strait is the gate when it comes to successful Planning objections. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, etc . . .

The careful reader will learn a great deal from studying the approach taken by the six former Planning specialists in their collective objection (see http://nyenquirer.uk/argos-objection/ ).

However, investing just a few minutes reading and digesting the advice offered by IObject.com will prove invaluable:

The Council itself offers the following ‘broad brushstroke’ advice:

Objecting

Should you wish to lodge an objection, first acquaint yourself with Scarborough Borough Council’s own more detailed advice, here:

• https://www.scarborough.gov.uk/home/planning/planning-applications/comment-planning-applications

Once you feel you have an adequate grasp of the criteria, I would recommend drafting your objection in a Word document (or similar) before copy/pasting it into the Scarborough Borough Council Planning Portal, here:

• https://planning.scarborough.gov.uk/online-applications/

When you arrive on the above web-page, simply type (or copy/paste) the Planning Application Reference Number into the Search bar at the foot of the page. Here it is:

• 20/02167/FL

If you do decide to object, please consider forwarding a copy of your objection to: letters@nyenquirer.uk

(All contact details will be redacted if the editor wishes to publish your comments).