Neighbour's new conservatory

brummiebabe

Our neighbours are in the middle of building (themselves) a new conservatory. They did not tell us that they were doing it or discuss it at all.

Due to their house (we're semi-detached) being at a slightly lower level than ours, the foundations to the conservatory now mean that they can see directly into our kitchen!! Not to mention the fact that the conservatory is HUGE (on a small house!)

I don't want to fall out with them, but this is obviously having a big impact upon our privacy! The conservatory also now seems to dominate our garden!!

I want to try and get some privacy - any ideas for plants/trellis etc that might be helpful? Any other suggestions?

Sting_2

Maybe you could ask that all the windows facing your property were 'frosted' glass, that way giving you a bit more privacy.

Even if they have already bought the glass it can be 'frosted' at a later date.

marybishop

How close are they coming to your boundary - could be major issues here if they are building right up to the boundary. Also have they applied for the relevant permissions - might not need planning permission but Building Regs is another issue. Might be worth an enquiry to your local council.

brummiebabe

They're not building right up to the fence, there is probably a 30-40cm gap between edge of conservatory and fence.

As it's not finished yet, I'm waiting to see if they fit blinds to the windows facing us - I'm sure they won't want us looking in to their conservatory either! Also, I'm sure they won't want to sit looking at their fence!

As for building regs - will they have to get the building checked once completed?

Ghost

It does seem a bit mean that your neighbours didn't even forewarn you about their plans!

Bamboos are good for screening, if you want something more solid you could clothe a trellis with Virginia Creeper (decidious), or try Solanium (flowers its heart out, grows and spreads well, but will need keeping in check - also semi-evergreen). Russion vine does exactly what its other name says "Mile a Minute" (also decidious) but might be too much to handle. Cotoneaster, ivy etc are also great but take a long time for complete coverage.

marybishop

To be on the safe side I would just phone the Building Regs dept at your local council and make some enquiries as to what they should or shouldn't be doing. If you dont want to give your details just say it's a general enquiry. Just think it sounds like they're coming quite close to the boundary and I'm wondering if they should have served you with any notices. I'd check to be on the safe side.

alanobrien

brummiebabe wrote:

As for building regs - will they have to get the building checked once completed?

Yes, It still needs to be checked at points through the construction then finally signed off by the council.

Depending on your location, there are requirements to how close you can go to the boundary, but it does vary from area to area.

sunflower_2

we applied for planning permission recently for an extension

the planning department wrote to both sets of neighbours on either side to ask if they had any objections

does this not happen with conservatories?

Rikki

sunflower wrote:

we applied for planning permission recently for an extension

the planning department wrote to both sets of neighbours on either side to ask if they had any objections

does this not happen with conservatories?

Only if they are over a certain size. (floor space size)

nelly_2

Sneekymum architects conservatories.

I think not all connys need pp but do need building regs .

Planning permission is also affected by other stuff you have added to your house previously both by sqaure feet and volume.

matto

If its bigger than about 7x4 (metres) or 6x5 they will almost certainly need planning permission. If its less than that then it depends on lots of other factors, principally are there any garages, sheds, porches other extensions which might have used up some or all of their permitted development rights (if that right remains).

Conservatories do not need to comply with buliding regs.