New houses being built to close to my property. HELP

thedoc_2

Here goes,

A new housing estate is being built at the rear of my property and whilst I admit that I initailly did not view the proposed plans for the development a couple of my neighbours did.

The initial veiw was that two single storey garages were to be built at the rear of our property and we could see no problem with the development.

However, there are now two, two storey buildings being erected and as you can probably imagine the doo_dah has hit the fan.

After a few unhelpfull phone calls to our local council and a visit from the planning officer who (and initally admited he was under the same impression that they were to be garages) origianally Ok'd the plans we now seem to be in a position where the council seem to have contravined their own guideliness as to the proximity of new developments to existing dwellings.

The planning guy is set to return within the next few days to measure the exact distance between the dwellings but is being cagey as to the exact distance that is allowable and the enforcability of the guidelines.

So my question is are there any independant sources where I can get some impartial advice regarding this matter (with the exception of the CAB).

Cheers for any help in advance.

Malestrom

The plans should have the distance from the new build to its boundary so you need to look at them. If the original, approved plans were for a single storey structure and the build looks like its double storey then this has also contravened the planning application. The owner may be looking to apply for retrospective planning permission so you need to move fast. I would also advise that you contact your local MP if the council drags its feet. A work colleague had to do this when his neighbours extension was incorrectly built and was six inches inside his boundary. The council weren't going to enforce because the extension had been finished even though a complaint was lodged before completion. The planning officer actually said "Its only 6 inches, not worth worrying about!". What sort of a cavalier attitude is that! My friend contacted his MP and the council eventually backpedalled....the wall of his neighbours extension has just been demolished and rebuilt!

Poppy9

Contact your local councillor. Also ask to see the minutes of the meeting where the planning application was approved. If you know the application number you might be able to search the minutes on line. Most council websites end .gov.uk i.e. www.cardiff.gov.uk. The minutes will tell you if any conditions were applied to the approval. Also list of councillors who attended the meeting. See if one of them is your local person.

Malestrom

Sorry, yes, I should have said councillor not MP, my mistake. Apologies for any confusion!

Savvy_Sue

Malestrom wrote:

A work colleague had to do this when his neighbours extension was incorrectly built and was six inches inside his boundary.

I'm no expert, but I didn't think you could build right up to your boundary these days (never mind 6 inches over it!) because you were supposed to leave room to get in and maintain what you've built? No help to the OP, of course ...

Poppy9

Malestrom wrote:

Sorry, yes, I should have said councillor not MP, my mistake. Apologies for any confusion!

Don't apologise Malestrom. I wouldn't hesitate to use my MP also. Some councillors are worse than useless so a lette from the MP can often spring them into action.

Look on the House of Parliament website for your local MP email address. I have sent emails about other things - I don't bombard him - and he has kindly responded and been helpful on 2 occassions.