Neighbours two storey side extension - planning permission?

murmeltier

Thanks everyone. Good to know that we're not obliged to let the scaffolding onto our property.


Will wait for the neighbours to approach us and see what they have to say ...

slowpoke_rodriguez

Have they even made an application to Building Control?

G_M

You don't want to unecessarily start a confrontation (even if one may develop later!).

So how about a polite note through the door (or knock and ask) saying you're not very computer literate and are struggling to find their Planning Application of the council website. Can they assist?

Also perhaps mention you'll be happy to cooperate with the Building Control Inspector if he needs access to your property when he's checking the work........

What you do thereafter depends how they react/respond.

somethingcorporate

I agree with GM here, play a little bit naive and you could keep them onside and maintain the relationship.

moneyistooshorttomention

G_M wrote: »

You don't want to unecessarily start a confrontation (even if one may develop later!).

So how about a polite note through the door (or knock and ask) saying you're not very computer literate and are struggling to find their Planning Application of the council website. Can they assist?

Also perhaps mention you'll be happy to cooperate with the Building Control Inspector if he needs access to your property when he's checking the work........

What you do thereafter depends how they react/respond.

:rotfl:

I like your style:) - ie puzzled "innocence"....and assumption that, of course, the neighbours are doing things by the book;)

slowpoke_rodriguez

somethingcorporate wrote: »

I agree with GM here, play a little bit naive and you could keep them onside and maintain the relationship.

Now what was that Frank Zappa song...

"act like a dummy till you finally ......"

G_M

It's amazing how often you can diffuse situations by acting dumb whereas stressing your knowledge of the law/your rights leads to far worse outcomes.

Lord_Baltimore

I don't disagree with 'playing dumb' but I wouldn't be too concerned about 'neighbourly relations' because evidently your neighbour isn't.

Planning permission or not, I wouldn't let this person access my land if he didn't have the decency to discuss it with me. What if the builder leaves a mess on your property or damages/blocks your drains or does something permanent (like an intrusive window or an overhang) that he 'didn't think you mind' seeing as you'd been a walkover up until now?

Be neighbourly but don't be a doormat as you'll have no kind of legitimate recourse if things go wrong.

DaftyDuck

Much as I'd be tempted to disagree with G_M, (and point out to the neighbour that they couldn't put scaffolding in your garden as you were just about to start your four storey extension with roof garden right along the border), I can't.

So many conflicts seem to escalate along the "I know I'm right, therefore..." You may be right that traffic should give way to pedestrians on a Zebra crossing, but you'd be a fool to prove you were right by stepping in front of a speeding lorry.

Always take the polite approach. Always try to diffuse a tense situation, and never go in all guns blazing. Chat over a cup of tea.

Yes, fully inform yourself of your legal rights, and don't give in too lightly when you don't have to. It doesn't sound like the OP is going to throw their weight around, and I'll bet the result will be better for it.

KRB2725

You could bluff it a bit and say that you checked with your household insurance, if you are having scaffolding on your property then you need to inform your insurers of the planning reference number and name of the scaffolders.

Then say (as G_M suggested) that you are struggling to find the planning reference on line so can they help.