Can I do anything?

Tippytoes

Briefly, I have lived in my home for ten years. I've caught wind that my next door neighbour wants to build a side extension. At the moment, there is probably 20 ft between our side elevations, with a fence down the middle. We enjoy a high level of privacy. My neighbour plans on building up to the boundary line, with enough room for a "walk way" along his side of the dividing fence. Effectively, their building will be roughly 50% closer to my actual building and I am not happy about it.

My concerns are made worse by the fact that they are a rough family. One son takes drugs and the other thinks nothing of performing lewd acts in the open. The thought of all of this going on even closer under my nose, is not acceptable.

Is there anything I can do to contest this extension? It just seems so unfair that I bought a house with a wide gap between mine and the next one and now that gap is going to be narrowed. Oh, the parents, police and council don't seem to regard the anti social behaviour as priority - in fact, they ignore it.

victor2

So long as they stay within building regulations and get any necessary planning permission (which may not even be required), then I don't think there's anything you can do. It's their land and you don't have any rights over it.

phill99

When you say 'got wind' do you mean you have heard a rumour or have you received a letter from the council confirming that an application has been made and seeking your comments.

If its the former, then thee is nothing you can do until a formal application is made.

If the latter, then you can object on PLANNING GROUNDS. This would include over development, loss of amenity, not concurring with the local development plan etc.

However, you can't object because one of the sons smokes pot and one is prone to fiddling with himself. These are not planning matters.

And if its done within permitted development rights, and planning permission isn't necessary, then there is nothing you can do.

Tippytoes

My privacy is going to be affected. They plan on having a side elevation door within three feet of my fence. The fence borders my patio, so when I sit out in the summer, I'll be able to see and hear everything that goes on along the "walk way" and into their extension. Do I really have no choice other than to lump it?

Blackpool_Saver

I would sell quick, before they do it......

phill99

Tippytoes wrote: »

My privacy is going to be affected. They plan on having a side elevation door within three feet of my fence. The fence borders my patio, so when I sit out in the summer, I'll be able to see and hear everything that goes on along the "walk way" and into their extension. Do I really have no choice other than to lump it?

Providing that they comply with planning permission or build within permitted develoipment rights, then there is nothing you can do about it. Just the same as if it was you that was planning an extension - they could do nothing about it either.

Tippytoes

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

I would sell quick, before they do it......

Thanks a lot. Exactly what I don't want to hear, having spent a sleepless night worrying about it.

southcoastrgi

you could try having a word with your local planning dept, but like the others have said, you have a 6' fence between you so i'm guessing privacy won't come into it

Sgt_Pepper_2

Tippytoes wrote: »

My privacy is going to be affected. They plan on having a side elevation door within three feet of my fence. The fence borders my patio, so when I sit out in the summer, I'll be able to see and hear everything that goes on along the "walk way" and into their extension. Do I really have no choice other than to lump it?

Same as if they stood in their own garden now.

Blackpool_Saver

Tippytoes wrote: »

Thanks a lot. Exactly what I don't want to hear, having spent a sleepless night worrying about it.

It wont be any different to how it is now, if it's causing you sleepless night then I still say move

Tippytoes

Are there any restrictions as to whether or not they can have windows/doors in what will be the new flank wall? I ask because although there is a fence between the two properties, it is not close-boarded and not particularly private, but due to the current distance between the properties, it's not a major problem. I thought there were rules about windows and such like close to a boundary line, but I'd like clarification, please.