Neighbour extending their property. Can i do anything about it?

dander

I have to say, that from the look of the size of the gardens in the picture you posted, the plot looks simply too small to put a 2-storey extension. I would look definitely be looking into the overdevelopment side of things as mentioned above. I'm guessing from the size of the plot they'd probably be wanting to build right up to the boundaries as well, so I'd be concerned about how they plan to get access to do that, and maintain the property without affecting your land.

I think you have far more effective reasons to object than 'right to light'.

iamcornholio

iamana1ias wrote: »

You are wrong. There is (usually) no right to light.

"Right to light" is established under Statute, and actionable in the civil court.

However it does not directly apply in terms of planning permission, but planners use another concept - loss of amenity ... which is esentially loss of use or enjoyment of ones land which the proposed extension will cause

The OP should investigate whether the council operate the 45 degree rule as policy, and whether the extension will conform to it.

Other key considerations are "domineering" and "overshadowing" which are other concepts by which the extension will be assessed.

The OP should move quickly to object if they feel that the proposal will materially affect their use and enjoyment of their own property, and draft a carefully worded objection using the common phrases which planners tend to respond to

Check local planning policy and check the plans to make sure the proposal and existing buldings are drawn accuratly to correct dimensions - especially positions of windows on neighbouring properties

xs11ax

Hi

Just want to thank everyone for their help. Please keep them coming as this is completely new for me but i am starting to get some idea now after reading all your replies.

I have tried to access the plans through the council website, but they seem to be having some teething problems so instead i will be going to the council offices tomorrow morning.
After taking a look at the plans i will know better how i will be affected and what action i will need to take if any.

I dont want to be a prat about this and take issue with the proposed extension just for the sake of it, but as you can see the garden is very tiny. Imagine if the neighbours from the other side were to also build an extension :eek: my back garden would turn into a prison!

Hang on...would i be able to contest the extension on the grounds that if it was passed, it would lay down a precedent for the other neighbour to build an extension as well, and if that was to happen then i would get blocked in from both sides? Let me know what you think!

Cheers all.

iamcornholio

There is no precedent in planning - every case should be judged on its own merits and against the local planning policy

Errata

One thing that would concern me is that even if obscured glass was used in a window(s) to prevent the neighbours looking at you, during the hours of darkness any artficial light in the rooms with those windows will expose you to a view of what the inhabitants might be doing.
This happened to a friend of mine and she became thoroughly fed up of seeing a pretty clear outline of her male neighbour giving himself a jolly good time.

dander

Almost certainly not your local area, but this page throws up quite a few issues that could be relevant http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/planning_portal/lpg_notes/lpg20.htm

xs11ax

Hi.

I managed to find the application on the council website. Here it is if anyone wishes to take a look..............pretty please!...

http://www.planning4bradford.com/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=KYCJHTDHFH000

....and while searching for that application, i found out that my neighbour on the other side had also put in an application!!!...and it had passed. Though it seems that it will expire this year in september and no work has been started so i think im safe there.

This is the other side... http://www.planning4bradford.com/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=JL24E2DH0D700

Can someone please take a look at the first link and tell me if i have anything to worry about or if i am just getting worked up over nothing.

Cheers.

twig1_2

Both your neighbours are proposing single storey full widths of the house extensions up to 3m of the 7m garden space. The decision on the extension approved says it was approved because it didn't exceed 1/2 of the garden and did not have any windows to intrude on your garden. I quess this will be the justification on the 2nd too. The 2nd storey extension is in the roof space making new rooms in the roof with dormers. The best way of looking at these plans is to look at the floor plans as the elevations can be a little tricky to visualise.

xs11ax wrote: »

Hi.

I managed to find the application on the council website. Here it is if anyone wishes to take a look..............pretty please!...

http://www.planning4bradford.com/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=KYCJHTDHFH000

....and while searching for that application, i found out that my neighbour on the other side had also put in an application!!!...and it had passed. Though it seems that it will expire this year in september and no work has been started so i think im safe there.

This is the other side... http://www.planning4bradford.com/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=JL24E2DH0D700

Can someone please take a look at the first link and tell me if i have anything to worry about or if i am just getting worked up over nothing.

Cheers.

diamond_dave

Dont rely on the planning authorities. A neighbour of mine built a large industrial type unit in the front of his property.The local planning bloke told me that he could not build in front of the property line without PP and if he applied for it he would DEFINATELY be refused.Guess what 18 monthe later unit still there and no PP applied for!!