Will our semi detached property be classed as a terraced!!??

Loobielou2

Hi, we live in a semi detached property and our adjoining neighbours have put a planning application through to join their property to the semi next door to them. Still 2 seperate homes internally but will have a flat roof 2 storey extension joining the 2 buildings together.
My question is, will this make our house an end terraced property, ultimately will it de-value our home?
Please help, we are looking to sell next year and don't want this to reduce the value of our property that we've worked so hard over the last 13 years to renovate.

Owain_Moneysaver

I don't think there's much difference really between a semi-det and an end terrace.

However planners in many areas find visually "terracing" existing houses by gap infilling to be objectionable, and a flat roof may also be objectionable, so you may find the plans don't go ahead.

If you object to the plans you can suggest that the extension be set back from the building line to avoid terracing, and have a pitched roof to match existing.

This may reduce the space available in the extension, and increase the cost, so the owners might not think it worthwhile to continue.

VfM4meplse

Loobielou2 wrote: »

Hi, we live in a semi detached property and our adjoining neighbours have put a planning application through to join their property to the semi next door to them. Still 2 seperate homes internally but will have a flat roof 2 storey extension joining the 2 buildings together.
My question is, will this make our house an end terraced property, ultimately will it de-value our home?
Please help, we are looking to sell next year and don't want this to reduce the value of our property that we've worked so hard over the last 13 years to renovate.

Good question, but wrong board. Try re-posting here - or perhaps Corny can help? :wave:

I can quite understand your frustration. Would asking your neighbour to hold off until you have gone be an option? (They should get the hint that you will object to the planning application). My personal view is that the market is over-inflated anyway and this Brexit uncertainty doesn't help. Put your home on the market in the NY and sell before it comes crashing (which I have been expecting for a while, btw).

LandyAndy

Probably a question for the 'House Buying, Selling and Renting' board.

I wouldn't put it on 'Debate House Prices'.

warby68

Certainly in this region the end properties of any kind of row, even if only joined by single storey garages or similar are worth less than a true semi. Also properties that have been made to look a bit odd by lop sided development take a bit of a hit.

I'm not sure planning will be a given from what you describe (flat roof and terracing) but I also believe you can't object on the grounds of devaluing your own property (only have a memory of this, no proof I'm afraid but expect other posters will know)

How is the other neighbour involved?

Owain_Moneysaver

warby68 wrote: »

I'm not sure planning will be a given from what you describe (flat roof and terracing) but I also believe you can't object on the grounds of devaluing your own property

You can't, but appearance of terracing, visual massing, preserving overall appearance in an area of a coherent style, etc are all valid planning grounds.

NBLondon

warby68 wrote: »

How is the other neighbour involved?

That's a good question. If the extension is filling the gap - then surely it will be partly on their land and attached to their building. Is it a joint project? Or was the boundary already asymmetrical?

OP could also ask the neighbour on the far side - as they are in the same position of being effectively converted to an end of terrace.

Loobielou2

Thanks warby68. It is a joint project with next door but one, they are joining both their houses together, each having a part of the extension. It will be a 2 storey with a flat roof, the full width of the house.

VfM4meplse

Loobielou2 wrote: »

Thanks warby68. It is a joint project with next door but one, they are joining both their houses together, each having a part of the extension. It will be a 2 storey with a flat roof, the full width of the house.

You're unlikely to find an ally there then.

Object strongly as soon as the application goes in, and then get your house on the market and sold before the scaffolding goes up.

Savvy_Sue

Loobielou2 wrote: »

Thanks warby68. It is a joint project with next door but one, they are joining both their houses together, each having a part of the extension. It will be a 2 storey with a flat roof, the full width of the house.

That sounds 'interesting', and would IMO turn both houses into 'oddities' with potential difficulties in selling, not to mention neighbour difficulties if the soundproofing isn't done well.

If you're on 'chatting over the fence' terms with either party, might be worth sharing such idle musings ...

Spendless

Is next door but one also a semi? If so I'd go speak to their joined on neighbour, see if they also object.