New garage windows overlook our garden.

ormus

there are no real hard and fast rules on the planning laws used by various local councils. every council seem to do it slighty differently.
as for variations, some councils will make an owner demolish a building if its 2 inches too high, whilst others will allow minor changes ok. (ie not major changes).
you can certainly ask about the roof changes. that may work.
obscure glass may be the answer?
but remember, no one has not to be overlooked rights.

LEMAY_2

Well just incase anyone is still interested in this discussion here is the outcome!
The plans put in for this garage were for a 4 metre high garage. The actual finished height that was built was 6.2metres!
The roof is also different to the plans.
The planning dep have told us they would not allow a garage building above 5.5metres.
They have now been to check the said building and measured. They have written to us to say, it is indeed 6.2 metres and the roof is different to the plans as are the windows.
The planning dep say it is being used as an "overflow" for the occupants in the house (not true,our neighbours told us themselves that they will be renting it out at a later date).The inside of the garage is not finished yet so the planning dep have not seen the place as it will eventually be but they have obviously believed what the neighbours have told them.

The planning dep have informed us that they are going to allow it!

The building is huge-- as big as a house. Our neighbours own the building company that built the garage. They knew exactly what they were doing!

So can we build a garage exactly the same? NO! We wouldn't allow a garage over 5.5 we are told!

So there you go!
I repeat, what is the point of putting in plans? Just put in plans that will be approved and change them as you build!
Perhaps it really does depend on what your name is? Or maybe as I've been told, the council planning dep have no power!
So it seems there is nothing we can do about it?
But then maybe our garage will be even bigger! Thanks for reading!

lindos90

LEMAY wrote: »

The plans put in for this garage were for a 4 metre high garage. The actual finished height that was built was 6.2metres!

The planning dep have told us they would not allow a garage building above 5.5metres.

Thats a complete contradiction from thm isnt it?

Why on earth would someone want a two storey garage?!

Its basically another dwelling, bet hes not planning to pay council tax on it, well he wouldnt if hes calling it a garage! I bet you are furious!

Is there any way you can appeal, or find out if there are certain rules he has to adhere to (ie not renting it out as a separate dwelling) which would then 'reclassify' it as something else other than a garage?

Yorkie1

I'm just wondering whether this will affect his Council Tax banding ...

Or whether he'd have reclassified it as a separate dwelling before renting it out as a separate unit ...

Or declare tax on any rental ...

Just some thoughts and I really sympathise with the frustration of the council refusing to enforce something which is over 50% taller than the plans and over 10% higher than the maximum which they say they would permit in any circumstances.

Perhaps also a letter from a solicitor asking them to justify this - worded in such terms as to hint at the possibility of maladministration and/or judicial review?

aeb_2

Just shows it's all about who you know and who you are. You must feel so angry.

A condition was put on our extension that we had to have opaque glass in the landing window because it overlooked our neighbours house. This house was 75' from our building and divided by trees and hedge. When built with said windows she complained the glass wasn't opaque enough as she could see our shadows if she looked up when putting out her washing.

We appealed too and some bloke in a suit and bowler hat came all the way from the appeals department in London (to Midlands) to check. He was independent and supposedly unannounced but guess who was out there at 6 o'clock pm in October cutting our hedge down! Yes, this 60 year old woman who employed a gardener.

She was also on the planning committee! We lost but the council did have to pay for the new windows. At this stage we went to the press about waste of council tax payers money and we heard no more.

We moved 10 years later and she went round to the new people 24 hours after they moved in to tell them not to change the windows.

mazinmouse

LEMAY wrote: »

The planning dep say it is being used as an "overflow" for the occupants in the house (not true,our neighbours told us themselves that they will be renting it out at a later date).The inside of the garage is not finished yet so the planning dep have not seen the place as it will eventually be but they have obviously believed what the neighbours have told them.
QUOTE]

comment removed as I got confused and had not read all posts properly - my apols

mazinmouse

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I'm just wondering whether this will affect his Council Tax banding ...

Or whether he'd have reclassified it as a separate dwelling before renting it out as a separate unit ...

It may well affect the banding of the property but, under present rules, not until/if they decide to sell, at which time the banding may be increased.

tanith

I had velux windows in a loft extension and agreed when at an angle you do mainly look at the sky but when they are open you can stand and look right down into the gardens and houses of your neighbours if you are that nosy and if there are going to be teens and children up there I'd be very put out that they can stand and stare at me relaxing in my once secluded garden...