Neighbours planning an extension

ceridwen

!!!!!! wrote: »

There speaks somebody who isn't really bitter!

Nope - just someone who is wondering where the phrases:
"Give them an inch and they will take a mile"
and
"Wolf in sheeps clothing"
originated....:cool:

People don't automatically become saintly in the context of being neighbours. If they are selfish or devious by temperament - then its just as likely to come out in the context of "being a neighbour" as in any other context they operate in:cool:

yakyak

Edited....

yakyak

Edited.....

TonyMMM

Presumably your neighbours are preparing to submit a planning application, perhaps the builder is doing it for them. You have every right to object, but remember that to succeed your objections have to be related to planning issues , not emotions, and loss of light is not normally one of them.

The liklehood is that the plans will get the go-ahead - maybe with some amendments, so it is probably in your interest to keep relations with your neighbours as reasonable as you can.

Soffits/gutters cannot overhang your property without your permission - and although they can build up the boundary (if they comply with the party wall legislation), you could refuse permission for the builders to come onto your property whilst working - which won't make it impossible to do the build, it will certainly make things more difficult for them

Is the party wall you are talking about a boundary wall, a garage wall or your actual house wall ?

WhiteHorse

yakyak wrote: »

Overheard the builder mentioning the amount of light that we would lose would be severe from a 2 storey extension

2 stories means that planning permission is a must.

Make a written enquiry checking that there is no permission. If there is, object. If none, write to the council informing them that unauthorised works are about to start.

Do not allow the builders onto your land. If they get going, keep a photographic record of progress, mess etc.

It's already been mentioned that gutters etc may not project across the boundary. Any water falling from the new roof may not cross the boundary either.

spmc

as I understand it loss of light can be a planning issue (loss of a view is not) and also a property (or rather a window) can gain a right to light such that even if planning permission is granted for an adjacent building if it infringes on the right to light the new development can be stopped. I was involved in a hotel development recently where planning permission was granted but a deal (financial) had to be reached with an adjacent office building because of loss of light. I am no expert on this but am involved in development so my understanding is based on comments I have heard at various meetings. My advice would be to employ an expert or research carefully online - bear in mind not all advice provided on websites is correct.

Link below is for planning portal which advises that loss of light is a material planning consideration.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/general/faq/faqapplyprocess#Whatarematerialconsiderations

Doozergirl

spmc wrote: »

Link below is for planning portal which advises that loss of light is a material planning consideration.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/general/faq/faqapplyprocess#Whatarematerialconsiderations

When it comes toplanning, loss of light issues only affects "habitable rooms", not kitchens, bathrooms, landings. Houses are built side by side all day long, light issues are why habitable rooms such as reception rooms and bedrooms are, on the whole, built to the front and back and non-habitable rooms to the side.

Doozergirl

yakyak wrote: »

After getting about 4 hours sleep after worrying about this, I think I am going to have to appraoch the neighbours with my concerns and findings so far.

From what I can gather from the party wall act, as the foundations would be with 6m, maybe 3m of my property, there may be some effect on my foundations. I think this is where the party wall surveyors become involved. From the guide I have read, they can decide that my property may require underpinning to stop any movement caused by the new extension.

I know it was mentioned previously, but should the neigbours be able to build on the 'party fence wall' can their soffits and guttering overhang my property, or is this something I could object to when the palnning goes forward?

The other thing I have contemplated doing is moving before all of this get out of hand...

I don't know what you've been reading, but underpinning a neighbouring house would be pretty much unheard of! It's perhaps best not to read at all if you're going to frighten yourself with that. You are not attached to your neighbours and therefore the affects on your house will be minimal. You may experience some vibrations when they are actually digging but it's unlikely to last more than day or so. It's possible that you might even get some very small hairline cracks appear from that vibration but the chances of the extension itself affecting neighbouring land -the reason we build foundations in the first place is to stop that happening... If the land moves, the first thing to go would be the extension itself, nevermind the neighbours!

If you think about it, people don't underpin their own foundations when they build an extension on the own house - even when the original property is of an age where it has no foundations to speak of. I really would not panic about that.

The planners will look at parking arrangements in the street. If the house has no parking at all once the garage has gone, they may insist that the new extension, if granted, has the integrated garage still.

I'm not sure why people are telling you not to let the builders on your land, aside from the fact that it won't stop the extension being built and you'll end up being faced by messy brickwork on your side, most people will have a clause in the deeds of their house stating that a neighbour should be allowed access to carry out work to their property.

By all means, appoint a surveyor for the party wall issues; if anything they should put your racing mind at rest a little bit.

The reality of having an extended house next door is not always as bad as the idea of it. I'd much rather a neighbour had a side extension than a rear one if I were worried about privacy or light.

panchenlama

I agree with Doozergirl. You're letting this getting massively out of hand in your head and it won't do you any good at all.

Relax, you can't stop progress so better off getting with it...

AdmiralX

yakyak wrote: »

After getting about 4 hours sleep after worrying about this..

The other thing I have contemplated doing is moving before all of this get out of hand...

Just this question: Have you asked your building insurance what will happen if neighbour goes ahead with his project? Would they insure collateral damage?


It would be perhaps a good idea to speak to a "Structural Engineer". They are different from surveyors. I found them the best people for these cases and they will tell you whether it is best to move home. They can give you investment advice as well! I paid 2 years ago one structural engineer £220 for non written reporting, and it was beneficial - bless him; the written costs more and is also worth.

Moving out of your property may be a solution ... but you would have to disclose the issue of dangers of the planning permission to the new buyer... The value of your place has to be re-negotiated with this in view.

You need peace in mind to do your own job and the neighbour already cost you your sleep.

There are many unknowns and you are not in a position to decide for things.