Can I do anything?

victor2

Look at the Planning Portal website:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/extensions

Might give you some idea what can be done without permission.

Tippytoes

Thanks everyone for your replies.

mart.vader

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?

When I made a planning application recently, the Planning dept. wrote to about seven of the nearest neighbours and invited them to "vote" in favour or against it. Nobody bothered to vote either way, but in your case, you will get a chance to object if you want

iamcornholio

The OP can only object on valid planning issues. Someone taking drugs, or building closer to the fence is not a valid planning issue unfortunately

As for sitting on the patio, enjoying the garden, neither is that

The size of the extension will be governed by planning policy. So whilst one that is deemed "too big" in context of the existing house or space it will fill may be unacceptable, all that will happen is that it will be made a bit smaller.

The main planning concern may well be over looking of windows - but this will relate to side windows only.

Once an application is in, have a look at the plans and then see if you can object on planning grounds. Don't include "I don't like them" comments as they just get ignored and detract from genuine planning issues

Also, if the Party Wall Act applies, you can ensure that they follow it (all at their cost) to safeguard your property during the works

Tippytoes

iamcornholio wrote: »

The OP can only object on valid planning issues. Someone taking drugs, or building closer to the fence is not a valid planning issue unfortunately

As for sitting on the patio, enjoying the garden, neither is that

The size of the extension will be governed by planning policy. So whilst one that is deemed "too big" in context of the existing house or space it will fill may be unacceptable, all that will happen is that it will be made a bit smaller.

The main planning concern may well be over looking of windows - but this will relate to side windows only.

Once an application is in, have a look at the plans and then see if you can object on planning grounds. Don't include "I don't like them" comments as they just get ignored and detract from genuine planning issues

Also, if the Party Wall Act applies, you can ensure that they follow it (all at their cost) to safeguard your property during the works

I've now had a look at the plans. The single storey side extension is going to go the entire front to back length of the house. The proposal is for windows and french "windows" to the side of the extension - three feet from my boundary.

We've already had our boundary damaged by the people next door. Our fences have been ruined by them due to footballs being kicked against them. One of the idiots even decided to use a screwdriver on the timber - chipped away at it for something to do. Could you explain how/when the Party Wall Act applies? It is our fence i.e. we are responsible for that boundary line.

I don't like the people, but obviously won't mention that. Anyone any ideas on what I should focus on in my letter of objection?

mart.vader

Posted by Tippytoes : "Anyone any ideas on what I should focus on in my letter of objection?"

As Iamcornholio says, only valid planning objections will be listened to.

I can only suggest loss of privacy due to overlooking windows, and the extension is not in keeping with the rest of the neighbourhood, maybe. You may consider replacing your fence with a close boarded and higher one.

The other matters are something for either the council's "unsocial neighbours" team or the police.

Tippytoes

mart.vader wrote: »

Posted by Tippytoes : "Anyone any ideas on what I should focus on in my letter of objection?"

As Iamcornholio says, only valid planning objections will be listened to.

I can only suggest loss of privacy due to overlooking windows, and the extension is not in keeping with the rest of the neighbourhood, maybe. You may consider replacing your fence with a close boarded and higher one.

The other matters are something for either the council's "unsocial neighbours" team or the police.

Police and council absolutely useless in this area. Each passes ownership of problems to the other resulting in nothing getting done.

There is no other property in the immediate vicinity with the same kind of extension. Like me, people possibly bought their properties because of the wide distance between each house. i.e. not a tiny gap in between as is so evident on modern housing estates.

iamcornholio

The PW Act is used to specify how the building work is to be done, safeguards to be used during construction, and making good afterwards. It can't be used to make changes or prevent work

The Act may or may not apply. Guide here

You need to do some searching on objecting to planning applications. There are a couple of good websites, but the names escape me ATM.

Planners like words such as "loss of amenity" and "loss of enjoyment". Basically how the finished work will impact on your use of your property. But not anything affecting property values. In broad terms this could be over-bearing or sightlines from upper windows. But normally the planners will deal with this as part of their assessment

If this is a standard extension, filling space between two properties in a line, then your options may be limited

Tippytoes

iamcornholio wrote: »

The PW Act is used to specify how the building work is to be done, safeguards to be used during construction, and making good afterwards. It can't be used to make changes or prevent work

The Act may or may not apply. Guide here

You need to do some searching on objecting to planning applications. There are a couple of good websites, but the names escape me ATM.

Planners like words such as "loss of amenity" and "loss of enjoyment". Basically how the finished work will impact on your use of your property. But not anything affecting property values. In broad terms this could be over-bearing or sightlines from upper windows. But normally the planners will deal with this as part of their assessment

If this is a standard extension, filling space between two properties in a line, then your options may be limited

If you happen to remember the websites, I love to hear about them. Many thanks.

anotherbigspender

Tippytoes wrote: »

I've now had a look at the plans. The single storey side extension is going to go the entire front to back length of the house. The proposal is for windows and french "windows" to the side of the extension - three feet from my boundary.

Is there a way you can share the plans on here? If the neighbours have made a planning application then the details (and plans) will be on the Council's website.