Neighbour asking things prior to planning application

owen22

Hi,

We have a very good relationship with our neighbours and they have openly discussed with us their plan to extend their property.

We have however been sent drawings and plans for one aspect of the works that will involve structural alterations to our property and have been asked for permission to do this.

While on the surface the general description of what is being asked of us (which we have in writing) seems reasonable, we are not architects or engineers ourselves and so the documents we've been sent are being read by lay people.

We presume that any application rests upon us giving this permission and so they are trying to get all their ducks in a row prior to making a formal application but I'm just concerned that we're not compromising out position in any way.

Obviously if the work we're being carried out to a party wall we could request that an independent surveyor be instructed to protect ourselves but who, if anyone, can we turn to in this situation? (without incurring costs ourselves!)

Thanks

VfM4meplse

owen22 wrote: »

We have however been sent drawings and plans for one aspect of the works that will involve structural alterations to our property and have been asked for permission to do this.

Are you referring to a Party Wall Agreement? I thought that would give you protection if the builders caused damage to your property.

My next door neighbours didn't have the courtesy to do this, I only found out it was necessary afterwards by which time it was too late.

ashe

To get advice you’re going to have to give details on what the alterations are, what the plans say etc as otherwise it’s impossible to advise on

Newuser1987

Its not completely clear if your neighbour has served you a party wall notice or not.
If not why would the works they intend to do affect your property structurally? Most work that would affect a neighbours property would likely be notifiable under the act.

If the works are notifiable then you shouldnt worry about incurring costs as it is your neighbours who would need to pay the party wall surveyors fee.

I am a party wall surveyor and an architect so with a bit more information I am sure I could give a bit more advice.

G_M

owen22 wrote: »

Hi,

We have a very good relationship with our neighbours and they have openly discussed with us their plan to extend their property.

We have however been sent drawings and plans for one aspect of the works that will involve structural alterations to our property and have been asked for permission to do this.

While on the surface the general description of what is being asked of us (which we have in writing) seems reasonable, we are not architects or engineers ourselves and so the documents we've been sent are being read by lay people.

We presume that any application rests upon us giving this permission and so they are trying to get all their ducks in a row prior to making a formal application

No. The council planners will not consider who owns the land or structures - only whether the proposal meets planning requirements. Your consent is not required (though you can, of course, object on valid planning grounds).


But once they receive planning consent (if they do) they will need your consent to undertake any work on your land or to your property. If a shared party wall is involved, they should serve a Party Wall Notice on you.


It's considerate of them to give you advance notice of their plans. It might be worth getting a Pery Wall surveyor to take an initial look. This willof course cost a bit. Then, once things go ahead, you can instruct him, at your neighbour's cost, to protect your interests before and during the work.

Tom99

G_M wrote: »

It's considerate of them to give you advance notice of their plans. It might be worth getting a Party Wall surveyor to take an initial look. This will of course cost a bit. Then, once things go ahead, you can instruct him, at your neighbour's cost, to protect your interests before and during the work.

There is no reason why you cannot say to your neighbour now that you are not an expert so you would not feel comfortable signing any sort of agreement until you have an expert working for you.
Then it can be up to your neighbour whether they pay for your expert now or only when they serve you a party wall notice.