Ask neighbour before building conservatory?

gazfocus

We are in the process of getting quotes to have the fence replaced all the way around our garden (our title says we're wholly responsible), plus we want the fence to match all the way around.

I am thinking about approaching the neighbour to let her know what we're doing and to ask if she objects, however, I'm wondering whether to mention that we're having a conservatory built in the next few weeks, or should I not say anything about it?

christineperseus

surely she'd be aware from the planning application?

gazfocus

christineperseus wrote: »

surely she'd be aware from the planning application?

No because the conservatory comes under permitted development as we're only going up to the 3m limit, so planning permission isn't required.

comeandgo

I am presuming that you will be on the boundry of her land with the fence? Then I feel its only right that you tell her of the new fence and also of the conservatory as I would imagine there will be extra noise and disturbance for her.

gazfocus

comeandgo wrote: »

I am presuming that you will be on the boundry of her land with the fence? Then I feel its only right that you tell her of the new fence and also of the conservatory as I would imagine there will be extra noise and disturbance for her.

Thanks, I will definitely be telling her about the fence - our garden slopes down at present, as does the fence, so we are planning to raise the level of the fence (if she agrees), so that we can level off the garden, so we're definitely going to talk to her about that.

The only reason I'm not sure about the conservatory is basically that we'll be having the conservatory whether she likes it or not.

lostinrates

gazfocus wrote: »

Thanks, I will definitely be telling her about the fence - our garden slopes down at present, as does the fence, so we are planning to raise the level of the fence (if she agrees), so that we can level off the garden, so we're definitely going to talk to her about that.

The only reason I'm not sure about the conservatory is basically that we'll be having the conservatory whether she likes it or not.[/

Last year we started work on a large project that was in planning for a year.

It went through the entire planning from parish onwards with not a single objection.

I put this down in part to a long time in pre planning, but the objection bit....to time spent making sure our neighbours were happy, that nothing we were going to do would adversely impact on them, that mitigating measures were taking...e.g. Where we had to take down a large oak tree, (building control insisted) we put up some smaller trees to pleach to ensure privacy in the future.


While we too were 'going to do it' we went in with a slightly different attitude of 'how can we make this work for everyone.

Our neighbours have allowed access for deliveries through their farmyard, helped tow out stuck skip lorries and been fab.

However nice the house, you cannot buy great neighbour relations. Its worth getting THAT bit above all right if you can IMO.

gazfocus

Thanks, I do understand what you're saying, however, any smaller than 3m long and it wouldn't be worth doing, but we do really need the extra room. The only option that would make it not impact on her would be to have it on the side of the house instead but then we'd lose half of our drive and we'd be on full view of the street when in the conservatory

I'm sure she'll be ok with the conservatory but if not, there's not really anything we can do that would make it impact on her less.

lostinrates

gazfocus wrote: »

Thanks, I do understand what you're saying, however, any smaller than 3m long and it wouldn't be worth doing, but we do really need the extra room. The only option that would make it not impact on her would be to have it on the side of the house instead but then we'd lose half of our drive and we'd be on full view of the street when in the conservatory

I'm sure she'll be ok with the conservatory but if not, there's not really anything we can do that would make it impact on her less.

I'm not suggesting you do not do it. And there are almost always ways to make the impact less. For example, she might say, my only concern is light being thrown up into the bedrooms late at night, and you say, 'understood, we'll fit ceiling blinds!' Or she might have concern for loss of privacy and you agree some planting along the boundary that secures her privacy.....

Its not so difficult, it just requires a little consideration. .

In some cases, people are unreasonable and that changes the game, but if you go in with a 'tough' attitude, its easy to put people's noses out of joint where as the same request with a different approach can be met very well.

I_have_spoken

planning to raise the level of the fence (if she agrees), so that we can level off the garden, so we're definitely going to talk to her about that.

May need more than talk, could be you need to serve a party wall notice

keystone

How close is the conservatory to be to the boundary? Is it to be installed on dwarf walls and if so will the foundations for those walls encroach on their property.

If you are one of pair of semis with them and there will be excavations adjacent to the party wall and/or foundations are next to the boundary then you have obligations under the Party Wall Act to inform them in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

The Party Wall Act & Your Conservatory

You will need to refer to the Party Walls Act if you are planning to build a conservatory on an existing wall or structure shared with another property; that has a free standing wall up to or astride the boundary with a neighbouring property; and where it is necessary to excavate near a neighbouring building to build foundations for a conservatory.

If you are on friendly terms with your neighbours you will probably want to maintain that relationship, however, building work often become contentious and it is easy to fall out over a misunderstanding of the regulations.

I think you have a moral duty as well as an obligation to discuss it with them really.

Cheers

tyllwyd

I think you should tell her that you are having the conservatory built, out of politeness if nothing else. Even if she is not too worried about the conservatory itself, you are going to have vans parked outside your house and a certain amount of noise etc. If she knows beforehand, she is less likely to get annoyed about it all.