Builder has just told me next door are planning an extension in the new year

youth_leader

I live in a semi detached bungalow.  My neighbour has a large glass conservatory at the back, it projects about five foot past the end of my bungalow, very close to the fence. 

I've just seen the local builder and he said my neighbour is having an extension next year.  I have looked on line and can't find any planning permission, is it exempt if it's a certain size? 

Section62

youth_leader said:

I live in a semi detached bungalow.  My neighbour has a large glass conservatory at the back, it projects about five foot past the end of my bungalow, very close to the fence. 

I've just seen the local builder and he said my neighbour is having an extension next year.  I have looked on line and can't find any planning permission, is it exempt if it's a certain size? 

Smaller single storey extensions can be 'permitted development', but only if all the conditions for it to be permitted development are met.

Without knowing what the neighbour plans to have built, you can't know whether or not they will need planning consent for it.

Do you get on with them well enough to ask.... without dropping the builder in it for talking to you behind the neighbour's back?

youth_leader

I've remembered now - when I lost my flat roof in November last year the wife came in to see the damage.   On the night of the storm my roof had been blown towards their conservatory and luckily snapped in half before it reached it - she did mention then that they had plans to change the conservatory.  We do have a polite relationship, it looks like I am going to have to casually ask when and what! 

maurice28

Definitely have a chat in the first instance if you can. Ideally, they should have spoken to you about it before they gave the go ahead to a builder, even if just to give you a heads up. Hopefully it's nothing too intrusive!

Section62

maurice28 said:

Ideally, they should have spoken to you about it before they gave the go ahead to a builder...

To be fair, on the basis of what the OP posted we don't know that the neighbours have given the go ahead to the builder.

It could be the neighbour has spoken to the builder over the hedge and said something along the lines of "we'd like an extension, can you come round and talk about it some time."

"Local builder" implies the kind of situation where things aren't necessarily as formal as elsewhere... especially when it comes to things like casually discussing a client's private information with their neighbours.

maurice28

Ah yes, good point! As you say, could just be the local grapevine at work.

Section62

youth_leader said:

....she did mention then that they had plans to change the conservatory.  We do have a polite relationship, it looks like I am going to have to casually ask when and what! 

Have you had any thoughts about doing an extension yourself?

As you have a 'semi' arrangement, whether or not the wall of the extension on your side is a party wall is a legitimate thing for you to ask about.

It would be worth knowing whether they plan to build up to the boundary, or plan to leave a significant gap. 

I would probably refer back to that previous discussion, and ask them how their plans are developing and what they think in terms of making the extension a party wall.

That way you won't have to drop the builder in it if the neighbour is likely to take offence over the conversation the builder had with you.

TELLIT01

If the neighbour is removing a conservatory and replacing it with a 'proper' extension they may not require planning permission.  Roughly how big is the current conservatory and is the replacement going to be roughly the same size?

macman

May require a PWN to be served if near to the boundary.

youth_leader

Thank you very much for all your comments. 

Unfortunately I haven't got the money at the moment to extend any further.  Their conservatory was built in 2006 and it is only two foot away from the fence which is attached to the end of my extension.  I bought here in 2021, I believe my extension was built in 2002.  Looking at the 2006 planning diagram it is attached fully to their property, 16m square.  I will ask them direct next time I see them.  Happy Christmas to all! 

Section62

youth_leader said:

Unfortunately I haven't got the money at the moment to extend any further.  Their conservatory was built in 2006 and it is only two foot away from the fence which is attached to the end of my extension.  I bought here in 2021, I believe my extension was built in 2002.  Looking at the 2006 planning diagram it is attached fully to their property, 16m square.  I will ask them direct next time I see them.  Happy Christmas to all! 

If they applied for and got planning consent for the conservatory it is almost certain they will need new planning consent to replace it with an extension (even one of the same floor size).

You'll be doing them a favour if you make sure they know about this, rather than relying on someone like a builder who may tell them not to worry about it.