New Build Planning Applications

joyciebird

Can someone please help?

My next door neighbour has just informed me that they are planning to build a new detached house within their garden, and that work will begin within the next 2 weeks.

This is the first I have heard about it, even though they state they have planning permission, Does this sound right?

spmc

how long have you lived in your house? Planning permissions are normally valid for 3 or 5 years (I think new permissions are 3 years but they have been 5 years in the recent past). When a planning application is submitted you as a neighbour should have received a letter advising of the application and telling you where you could view details and comment. If permission had been granted before you moved into your house your solicitor should have advised you as it should have shown up on the searches.

joyciebird

spmc wrote: »

how long have you lived in your house? Planning permissions are normally valid for 3 or 5 years (I think new permissions are 3 years but they have been 5 years in the recent past). When a planning application is submitted you as a neighbour should have received a letter advising of the application and telling you where you could view details and comment. If permission had been granted before you moved into your house your solicitor should have advised you as it should have shown up on the searches.

I have lived here for 10 years and have had no notification of any planning applications. What do I do if they go ahead and start building?

Zazen999

joyciebird wrote: »

I have lived here for 10 years and have had no notification of any planning applications. What do I do if they go ahead and start building?

Have you checked planning on-line to see what they are planning on doing and when they applied?

toejumper

The council should of sent you a letter explaining your neighbours plans and you had 14 days to reply to the letter with any objections, im just having an extension on the back of my house and both my neighbours received a letter from the council.

iamcornholio

Planning notifications can be by letter, notice (on the lampost out the front) or in the paper

Check with the council to see what notice was given

If they have permission then, objecting may be too late, unless the council has done something wrong, in which case you can complain to them and ultimately the Local Government Ombundsman. However this wont affect any permission given, just may be that you could get some compensation because of 'maladministration'

Also check and covenants and easements on yours/their property deeds to see if what they are planning is permitted by the deeds

If you check their planning application, make sure it's accurate with all sizes and features correct.

spmc

I've not come across a local authority that does not send a letter to an adjoining property when a planning application has been submitted. Ring up your planning authority and explain your conversation with your neighbour and the fact that you have no knowledge of a planning application. They will advise you whether permission exists.

planning_officer

As 'iamcornholio' says above, neighbour notifications do not have to be in the form of letters to neighbours - they are not required under the legislation. Although if neighbour letters are not sent out, a site notice must be posted instead (or as well as letters, depending on the individual local authority procedures).

Most Councils have full details of planning applications on their websites, so have a look there. Alternatively, try phoning the duty planning officer at your Council to ask if any such permission exists. If there is no permission, then you will have to wait until he starts building before making the Council aware of it - they can't do anything if it's just hearsay - there needs to be some unauthorised building works to enforce against.