planning question - building above existing extension and right to light

TBeckett100

imagine if you will three houses in an L shape

the middle house is corner and gardens from both properties run parellel to my back wall.

My house has a singe story extention which has been there 30 plus years. I would like to build above it to create a new bedroom. However there is something in the deeds i recall about not blocking out other neighbours light. As the sun shines for the first few hours of the day over my single extention, then moves around the opposite direction, any light loss in my view would me minimal.

looking at the net, it doesnt appear i need planning permission to build above, but what do i do about ascertaining whether the light issue will be a problem?

ormus

your biggest problem is the foundations. if they are not strong enough you aint building nothing. unless you underpin them. very expensive.

ask the two neighbours, if they would have any problem with possible light issues.

Gloomendoom

From what you have said, I would think it unlikely that you wouldn't need planning permission.

The only way to be sure is to have a word with your local planning department.

Woby_Tide

going through more or less the same research currently. If it's a north facing side the rules become a bit blurred but the 2 main rules seem to be a 45degree angle from the midpoint of the nearest window, also another rule on 25degrees horizontal from a point 2m up on the facing wall though not sure if this is only for houses facing back to back. Our issue is building on top of the existing extension I think is fine(and other neighbours have done similar), we want to extend a couple of feet further out on the side at the second floor level which I think is where the problem lies for us. Your local council should have guidance on their views i.e. ours is http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=80879&filetype=pdf has some descriptions of the rules for light

planning_officer

TBeckett100 wrote: »

imagine if you will three houses in an L shape
...
My house has a single storey extention which has been there 30 plus years. I would like to build above it to create a new bedroom
...
looking at the net, it doesnt appear i need planning permission to build above

It sounds like the first floor extension would be up against the boundaries, in which case - yes you definitely need planning permission!

planning_officer

Woby_Tide wrote: »

going through more or less the same research currently. If it's a north facing side the rules become a bit blurred but the 2 main rules seem to be a 45degree angle from the midpoint of the nearest window, also another rule on 25degrees horizontal from a point 2m up on the facing wall though not sure if this is only for houses facing back to back. Our issue is building on top of the existing extension I think is fine(and other neighbours have done similar), we want to extend a couple of feet further out on the side at the second floor level which I think is where the problem lies for us. Your local council should have guidance on their views i.e. ours is http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=80879&filetype=pdf has some descriptions of the rules for light

45 and 60 degree rules are policy related, i.e. if something needs planning permission, then the Council may apply these rough guidelines to assess whether an extension is acceptable (they are not set in stone though and not guaranteed to get something passed). But importantly, they have nothing to do with whether something requires planning permission in the first place.

mkaibear

Dare I suggest "talk to the neighbours first"?

iamcornholio

You will need planning permission for this first storey extension

You should check your deeds to clarify what covenants are granted. It may be that they could be invalid or unenforceable, but its all down to the wording and the intention. But its crucial that you sort this out as it can lead a a whole lot of expensive trouble if a neighbour decides to enforce the covenant or a future buyer /conveyancer notices a probelm.

Woby_Tide

mkaibear wrote: »

Dare I suggest "talk to the neighbours first"?

If they are Planning Officers yes, if not their views aren't 'important' at this stage as the planning officials will be viewing it from current and future owners perspective as well.