Neighbours extension - will it affect my house price?

seven-day-weekend

http://www.hastings.gov.uk/planning/extensions.aspx

Design
Materials should generally match those of the existing dwelling.
The extension should not dominate the original dwelling. It is a good idea to set it back from the front wall so that it appears subservient.
Where possible it is generally best to integrate the roof of the extension into the main roof. Flat roofed extensions can look “tacked on” and flat roofs can sometimes need more maintenance.
The design of porches should reflect the design of the main house in terms of the materials used and the roof detailing.
The spaces between buildings can be an important part of the character of the area. Side extensions should not result in a terracing effect by closing the gap between properties.
As a rule of thumb it is good practice for a side extension to be less than two thirds of the width of the main property.
Where possible dormer windows should have a roof to match the main roof.
Dormer windows should generally be set into the main roof, rather than replacing it. Overly large flat roofed extensions can dominate a building and look unsightly.
Care needs to be taken over the siting of new garages so that they do not dominate a property when viewed from the street.

I know this is for Hastings, but I'm pretty sure that this would be the criteria everywhere.

PoorDave

Just because something's a terrace doesn't mean it's worth less, necessarily - it's still the same house. Plus there's always been the debate over whether you can call the end terrace a semi!

Do you have space to do the same extension on your house? If so, if you sell, you can use this as a positive (market house as "extendable"), given that your neighbours will have set a precedent for this work.

Planning guidelines for one geographical area do not necessarily read across to others, unfortunately

jackieb

If the neighbour who is wanting the extension has no room for a service gap between them it would mean he couldn't get round the side of his house (this is why I asked about if they would be needing access through the OP's back garden.

I know a lot of terraced houses have a back gate but i'm thinking if the OP's house is a semi then it might not. I live in a terraced block of 4. Our house is the middle one, but we have a tunnel (we call it a close in Scotland, not right sure of its proper name ) through the middle of my house and the other middle one - and this is our access through to the back.

anotherbigspender

seven-day-weekend wrote:

http://www.hastings.gov.uk/planning/extensions.aspx

Design
Materials should generally match those of the existing dwelling.
The extension should not dominate the original dwelling. It is a good idea to set it back from the front wall so that it appears subservient.
Where possible it is generally best to integrate the roof of the extension into the main roof. Flat roofed extensions can look “tacked on” and flat roofs can sometimes need more maintenance.
The design of porches should reflect the design of the main house in terms of the materials used and the roof detailing.
The spaces between buildings can be an important part of the character of the area. Side extensions should not result in a terracing effect by closing the gap between properties.
As a rule of thumb it is good practice for a side extension to be less than two thirds of the width of the main property.
Where possible dormer windows should have a roof to match the main roof.
Dormer windows should generally be set into the main roof, rather than replacing it. Overly large flat roofed extensions can dominate a building and look unsightly.
Care needs to be taken over the siting of new garages so that they do not dominate a property when viewed from the street.

This is the route to take ... providing your Council has similar policies / guidance.

seven-day-weekend wrote:

I know this is for Hastings, but I'm pretty sure that this would be the criteria everywhere.

Not necessarily, you'd be surprised how much it can vary between Councils - basic principles are pretty much generic to any Council though.

BobRobUK

Again thanks for the replies.
After reading some of these comments it seems unlikely that it would be passed.
Of the 2 semis involved, ours and my neighbours is rendered and the other is brick finished, also our semi is set down by about 8 feet as we are on a slope. It would look odd to bring them both together like this.
Ironically if I was to ask for planning permission for an extension I would probably have it passed as it would not affect any other property.

cat79_2

You are perfectly entitled to raise an objection the planning application and sounds like you have reason to, as highlighted in another very concise post re what planning dept will consider, your objection have to be valid in planning terms and that unfortunately for you that doesnt include the affect on your property value. The major concerns for you should be, impact on daylight received to habitable rooms (i.e bedrooms, living rooms), overshadowing of the property (inc garden), character of the area, affect on terrace etc, these are all valid objections. If you dont want to object as you dont want to fall out with your neighbours, talk to them about some of your concerns, they may change some of the plans. Unfortunately as planning applications are public docs, you cannot object confidentially (well technically you could, but the comments make could not be considered as part of the application determining process, so a bit pointless).

You can also rest assured that considerations such as light, oversdhadowing and design will all be looked at by the planning officer and if there are issues there which would warrant the refusal of the application, it will likely be refused. If you raise objections, these will also lend some weight to the decision. In addition, if you were really worried about the proposal go to your local councillor and they may call in the application to be dealt with at planning committee as opposed to a delegated decision.

Advice based on scottish system, differences likely to apply in england/wales.

Spendless

I live in a street where the houses were built some in semis and some in a block of 4 so 2 MTH and 2 ETH. The ETH when they come on the market are always advertised as semis. If the ETH has been priced lower than the semis on this street it has been to do with the what the semi has (eg conservatory, decor etc) or over the smaller gardens (the blocks of 4 are set back from the semis) rather than one is joined to 1 house and the other at the end of 3.

Take advice, get an EA out and ask their opinion but it does not have a huge impact on the prices here.

spuds_2

I noticed that you say you don't want to object because you are good friends - I think you have to put this aside in matters like this. They don't seem to be thinking about you in planning to extend. I think it's unlikely they would get permission, but you may find it makes your house harder to sell if they do. Let us know what happens.