Extension blocking light?

Sunshinebee

Hello! I am thinking about building a one storey extension on top of my kitchen extension. Before I go too far into checking the footings, getting plans drawn up etc, I want to get an idea if it is even possible. I know that one of the rules is about blocking light, which is what I am worried about. The neighbour of my neighbour's house juts out more than ours so my extension would create a U shape. I have attached some photos below to try and better show/explain. The first is of my end of terrace, the third shows the house next door and the second is trying to show the neighbour next to my neighbour. The last photo is from the garden, attempting to also show the neighbour of my neighbour. 
So my question is - because my extension would create a U shape between my house and the neighbour of my neighbour, would this be blocking light to my neighbour? They have 2 windows on that level and they have a skylight (into their bathroom) in the flat roof. 


s. 

Rosa_Damascena

No idea but do you live in Bath?

A floorplan of the existing and proposed might help.

Eta: a skylight into a flat roof is going to be a privacy problem, if sited on the GF.

Its_not_paranoia

Is the addition more than 3 metres long? If so, you'll need planning permission. If not it's permitted development. 

Has anyone else done this on the street/next few streets? If so, great you will probably get planning permission, and can even see their drawings on planning portal to get ideas. If not, why not - perhaps they won't get planning permission or perhaps it's not worth it given house prices. 

casper_gutman

I don't think a one storey extension "on top of" a pre-existing kitchen extension will be permitted development. It's not quite clear what is meant by "on top of" here, but presumably this is either adding an extra storey or, if it's a single storey extension, it's in addition to an existing extension which has likely used up the PD rights already.

Mutton_Geoff

Almost certainly building control (not planning) will not allow a second storey to be added without investigation of the existing foundations. Since regs have changed since the original extension was built, unless foundations were deliberately generous to allow for future upward expansion, then it looks like you have to pull the whole lot down and start again.

Sunshinebee

I wrote a reply yesterday but I think a message popped up saying something about it being suspicious? I guess maybe it needs to be checked before it's posted.. So I'll try again.

I know that I need to investigate the foundations etc and that I will need planning permission, that's not what I have asked. I am asking if the extension will be blocking light from my neighbour so therefore not viable anyway. I want to add an extra storey on top of the kitchen (the current extension) which will be the same size as the kitchen. 

And yes, I live in Bath, how did you know!? 

Its_not_paranoia

Blocking light and your neighbour's"right to light" aren't the key barriers you have to getting your vision built. Rights of light only affects windows, and your not building up in front of someone's window, rather you'd be casting a shadow on their garden. 

Don't worry about the whole light thing. 

Worry about the building regs, planning and cost of doing it. 

Rosa_Damascena

Sunshinebee said:

I wrote a reply yesterday but I think a message popped up saying something about it being suspicious? I guess maybe it needs to be checked before it's posted.. So I'll try again.

I know that I need to investigate the foundations etc and that I will need planning permission, that's not what I have asked. I am asking if the extension will be blocking light from my neighbour so therefore not viable anyway. I want to add an extra storey on top of the kitchen (the current extension) which will be the same size as the kitchen. 

And yes, I live in Bath, how did you know!? 

Do not underestimate the cost of decent foundations, we are talking tens of thousands.

Sandstone is a giveaway btw...slinks off with Bath-envy.

Doozergirl

You need to read the design guide for where you live.  

There is usually a 45 degree rule that prevents you from building within a 45 degree angle of the middle any neighbours windows.  That may scupper you immediately, but it can be interpreted different by local authorities.  

There are new permitted development rules that allow people to add storeys, but that is to the original house if it's of a certain age, not to existing extensions.   
 

Doozergirl

Its_not_paranoia said:

Blocking light and your neighbour's"right to light" aren't the key barriers you have to getting your vision built. Rights of light only affects windows, and your not building up in front of someone's window, rather you'd be casting a shadow on their garden. 

Don't worry about the whole light thing. 

Worry about the building regs, planning and cost of doing it. 

They are building up right next to people's windows.  The sun moves, extensions create shadows.  

Jeepers_Creepers

On that point, in which direction does your gardens face?