Dormant company seeking planning permission

[RonaldOB]

Hi

My neighbour has been working with a developer since 2019 to try to get planning permission for 4 houses on a piece of land behind my house. The developer's company was set up just for this purpose. Basically, they pay for everything and sort out all of the permissions and they then split the profits with my neighbour. They are now on their 3rd attempt at this and have reduced the number of units from 8 then to 6 and now to 4. Whilst doing some digging I have discovered that the company my neighbour is working with is actually dormant on companies house. I have called HMRC who also confirmed that they are dormant. This has raised a few questions:

1. Can a dormant company apply for planning permission ?
2. Should the planning department be dealing with a company that is dormant and shouldn't be trading or partaking in business activities?
3. Legally I think the company should not be entering into any contracts or even commissioning/paying for any reports such as ecology reports and planning statements, or working with architects etc if they are dormant. Can I use this as part of an objection to the planning application?

Thanks in advance

R

[atticus]

Dormant companies can wake up, and show this when next filing accounts. I don't think that any of your points are relevant to a planning application. As to the third point, this is a matter for parties with whom the company seeks to enter into contracts.

[dslippy]

Atti is right.You are overestimating the significance of a company currently showing as dormant. It remains a legal entity, and planning law is not connected.