Help - Planning permission on next doors property

AManOfKent_2

Hi , Have a look at this link. Most of the councils in the country use it. Has an excellent guide for both making and objecting to planning applications. It will help you decide whether you have a case to object or not. Many moons ago when we lived in London the house next to us was converted. They had to ensure the soundproofing between us and them was upgraded and to be fair we had less noise after the conversion than before.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1011888236124.html
Best Of Luck.
Regards
Andy

[Deleted User]

QL I think it is change and the unknown that is really bothering you. Going from a quiet elderly neighbour to the unknown ie children, students, noisy dogs etc. I have 3 flats next to me and the occupants are quiet as mice. The house on the other side of me is occupied by a mum and two noisy teenage boys. I would rather the flats any day

If I were you I wouldn`t object but I would grit my teeth and hope for the best

Rimo2021

quick-learner wrote: »

No objection when renovating, works need to be done couple who lived there were in their 90's so needs alot of work new kitchen, bathroom, electrics etc

I have 2 small children and the other side of the property they have 3 (terraced houses).

We are thinking that making 2 s/c properties will make more noise as both floors are going to be occupied and will be active especially evening, having children who sleep upstairs their bedroom walls will be against the proposed, sitting/kitchen dining room.

These are more of a concern really.

Maybe we just have overacted to the news

I think it can be much nicer having a mix of 'types' in a street. I live in a terrace where many of the original townhouses are converted into flats. The original houses are huge and only one or two are unconverted but the others are mostly split into flats , some one floor (2 bedroom) some have doubles (4-5 bedrooms) as a result there is a mix of families, young professionals and retired people...

littlesaint

Melissa177 wrote: »

I suspect my major concern in that case would be the building work that went on and that affected your common walls. I've heard horror stories about people doing building work on adjoining houses, and walls being accidentally knocked through!

I don't think I'd want to live in a converted flat myself because of the noise from people above/below travels through a conversion much more than a purpose-build block, but I wouldn't be too worried if I was the neighbour.

This is true. My advice to the OP is to try and make the developer aware of your point of view about noise. Ask to see the plans, with any luck, the adjoining walls might have a bathroom or a child's bedroom on the other side. These types of rooms may generate less noise than a lounge or Kitchen. If the developer is at an early stage, they may consider adding some sort of sound proofing. Also find out whether they intend to sell or do BTL. By all means speak to the council as well, but heed the advice about basing your objections on planning law.

Doozergirl

Building Regulations with regard to soundproofing in conversions have been very tight as of 2002. The materials cost a small fortune!

I lived in a London conversion where without carpet we could see downstairs' lights. There is no way on earth it would pass Buidling Regs now and no way I'd ever live in a place like that, partly because of noise but very much because of the associated fire risks :eek:

quick-learner

Thanks for all the responses we have now seen the plans, my side of the house will be the quietest. my sons bedroom will be adjoining to a bedroom, this was one of my biggest concerns having young children and the noise on an evening, my bathroom against their bathroom and my kitchen against the proposed new bathroom.

The neigbour on the other side however has the kitchen/living area against her lounge and sons bedroom.

There is no mention of sound proofing on the drawings and I don't know if that would be stated at this stage? Only sound proof wall is the proposed new entrance wall.

As for the buyers intentions of sell or letting this is unknown at present.

We, all the collective neighbours are now in the process of putting a list/letter together to voice our opinions and we will see how it goes from there

Many thanks for all the comments

When and if we get any correspondence from the council I will update the post

Doozergirl

There is nothing technical stated in the drawings for planning permission as it is the territory of Building Control, not the planning department, also PP hasn't been given so building regs won't be a consideration yet.

In order to sell the flats on or remortgage the properties (which a professional landlord would be likely to do), they will need a certificate of approval from Building Control. An inspector will come out and inspect certain aspects of the work as it happens, including things like soundproofing.