Neighbours building without planning permission

Jeepers_Creepers

What will very likely be particularly galling for other folk in that connie area is when they, too, ask for permission to build an extension, and are told firmly 'no'. And they won't get away with it.

Supersonos

Jeepers_Creepers said:

What will very likely be particularly galling for other folk in that connie area is when they, too, ask for permission to build an extension, and are told firmly 'no'. And they won't get away with it.

True - we tried to install some roof lights in our kitchen and were told no due to it being a conservation area.  It's slightly frustrating to see them doing loads of work when we were refused something so minor, but I'm hoping the systems in place will come through and not allow them to get away with it.

jellie

Supersonos said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

What will very likely be particularly galling for other folk in that connie area is when they, too, ask for permission to build an extension, and are told firmly 'no'. And they won't get away with it.

True - we tried to install some roof lights in our kitchen and were told no due to it being a conservation area.  It's slightly frustrating to see them doing loads of work when we were refused something so minor, but I'm hoping the systems in place will come through and not allow them to get away with it.

But those systems can only work if someone tells the council the work is being done.  They can't take enforcement action against something they don't know about.

Supersonos

jellie said:

Supersonos said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

What will very likely be particularly galling for other folk in that connie area is when they, too, ask for permission to build an extension, and are told firmly 'no'. And they won't get away with it.

True - we tried to install some roof lights in our kitchen and were told no due to it being a conservation area.  It's slightly frustrating to see them doing loads of work when we were refused something so minor, but I'm hoping the systems in place will come through and not allow them to get away with it.

But those systems can only work if someone tells the council the work is being done.  They can't take enforcement action against something they don't know about.

Of course, but we'll at the very least wait until the council have made their decision.  If it's rejected and the extension remains, I think I would then say something.

But all this has made me realise that councils would get more co-operation if comments could be made anonymously.  We don't want to say anything because we will have to live next door to them for many years to come (and they seem like the type who could be quite vindictive).

FreeBear

Supersonos said: We don't want to say anything because we will have to live next door to them for many years to come

Depends on how hefty any fines are - It could be that they have to sell in order to cover legal costs plus what ever they owe the builders..

Supersonos

So, as predicted, the council have refused their planning permission.  And the document makes for interesting reading!  Lots of talk of over-massing, not in-keeping with the property and damaging to the conservation area.

How will the council know they've done the work in order to enforce the refusal?  If they manage to keep it for six years, does that mean they can keep it forever, regardless of the council's decision?

Supersonos

FreeBear said:

Supersonos said: We don't want to say anything because we will have to live next door to them for many years to come

Depends on how hefty any fines are - It could be that they have to sell in order to cover legal costs plus what ever they owe the builders..

Can you sell a property that has an "illegal" extension?

Jeepers_Creepers

Are you saying that the council still doesn't know it's being built?!

Add a new Gmail account and use it to email them. Invent a nearby address if you need to include one - make it a house number one larger than exists. Explain the reason for your covertness.

At the moment (a) this is actually happening, (b) you are concerned and possibly affected by it, and (c) are not doing anything to stop it.

What do you expect people to say?

SameOldRoundabout

If it bothers you you’ll have to actually report it. No Citizen Saviour will appear to do it for you. Otherwise they won’t know will they as you say it’s invisible. 

Supersonos

SameOldRoundabout said:

If it bothers you you’ll have to actually report it. No Citizen Saviour will appear to do it for you. Otherwise they won’t know will they as you say it’s invisible. 

That’s what worries me.  I want to report it but don’t want the neighbours to know it was me.  I’ve got to continue living next to them after all.