Planning Application Objected To

Naomim

We live in a 3 bed mid terrace property built in the mid 1960's. We have two double bedrooms and a tiny box room. Although the houses in our road all seem to be built around the same time, some are maisonette's, others are chalet type houses and then there's the standard houses we are in.

Two of the "standard" houses have had two storey flank extensions. (I can only see one applied for planning by the way!) There are lots of single storey extensions and conservatories. We have applied for planning permission for a two storey extension at the rear of the house. Both our neighbours have objected. We did speak with them first to let them know we were intending to put in for permission so it wasn't out of the blue when they got the council letters.

Both of them have objected on grounds they aren't supposed to "drainage issues" but both have mentioned loss of light and out of character (even thought his is at the rear of the house. I don't think they will lose much light if any as our rear gardens are NE facing. Both of them have mentioned the party wall act. One of the neighbours mentioned that we will be setting a precedent and "God Forbid this is approved as everyone else is content with a single storey or conservatory".

If two houses already have flank extensions, are we just as likely to granted one at the rear? We don't overlook anyone. There is a bungalow but there's trees in between and we'd need binoculars to see them.

I also have issues about the party wall act but I'll put that in my next post.

Thanks

Naomi

Naomim

2nd part.

This is about the party wall act. Both my neighbours have mentioned this in their objection to our plans. The first neighbour to object to planning and mention the party wall act has a son in law whose a surveyor.

If we get permission we need to dig deeper foundations. We currently have a conservatory that will be removed. We are also planning on reconfiguring the internal structure of the house. Our builder says we don't need party wall approval for the internal work, however he's not 100% sure about whether we will for the foundations as you have either 3 or 6 meters to work within.

If we do, we have to give two months written notice, then if the neighbours disagree - which they will, we can employ a surveyor. Now we can share a surveyor but I'm guessing my neighbour will use her son in law. As they're both annoyed we have requested planning I'm feeling neither of them want to help us out with sharing to keep costs down. I'm aware we have to cover the costs. I've looked and I can't see there are any rules about working for friends or family. Also, do both sides of me need a surveyor?. My other neighbours don't have any extension or conservatory.

I just really don't want to have to pay out potentially for three surveyors when I cannot guarantee their costs? What's to say her son in law wouldn't charge an extortionate rate?

It's all becoming very stressful and we're only at the beginning!

Naomi

daveyjp

Do all the Party Wall negotiations and get agreement before serving any notices.

DRP

daveyjp wrote: »

Do all the Party Wall negotiations and get agreement before serving any notices.

Im in a similar position although i have no indication that the neighbours will object to the development.

I'm interested in how to convince a neighbour not to get expensive surveyors involved via the PWA - surely even 'nice' neighbours will see the PWA as the legal and right way to getting extra protection (even if the PWA doesn't *really* give this) ?

Put in the position of the OP or myself, what reasoning could you use to convince the neighbours otherwise?

Naomim

daveyjp wrote: »

Do all the Party Wall negotiations and get agreement before serving any notices.

so you think we should apply for PWA straight away? Even if we don't get planning permission? I don't want to have to spend £1,200 on a surveyor if it's not needed and we can't build. Especially as I may end up paying out for possibly 3 surveyors.

Thanks

Furts

Your worry and stress may be premature. The planning system exists to establish fair play for all, in theory, with the planners being the professionals who run this process. Just because objections have been received does not mean that they will be upheld. They may not be valid objections, or even if they are valid then with some altering of your proposal it may still be possible to comply with those objections.

Ask the planners if you have an opportunity to address the objections with a written explanation. If not wait to see what the planners decide. I would not be engaging any Party Wall costs until you have a decision.

If the decision is in your favour a Buildings Regulation Application should follow. For example, your extension may be designed as a raft so that it is not necessary to do deep digging close to a boundary, or it may have to be mini piled because this is what the ground conditions dictate.

Le_Kirk

Hmmm, second post advertising your business. Someone needs to read the Forum rules!!!

southcoastrgi

Quantity_Surveyor wrote: »

Hi,

Just reading your thread with interest. I am a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and I quantify the cost of home extensions for homeowners and builders from drawings or limited information.

Private Message me and I will explain the service I offer or I can give you a link to my website to peruse at your leisure.

Good Luck whatever you decide to do

first post marked as spam now ive reported you, you can't be that good if you have to come on here looking for work

SJshah

This thing is a waiting game for you, try not to stress and explain your point of view to the council. Explain how other properties in your area already have exactly what you are planning for.

Explain the movement of the sun during an average day for each quarter to prove how the right to light law doesn't apply.

Hint to the council that your neighbours are just being a pain.


As for the party wall act, the act will apply to any party wall within a certain distance rom work being carried out, if your extension is end-to-end and you live ina terraced house then both neighbours can employ surveyyors.

jackyann

Just another point of view: if both neighbours object this much, then are subject to all the inconvenience that your building work will cause, you may just be causing more bother than it is worth.

Gingernutty

Bumped to attract :spam: hunters