New build differs to brochure

caprikid1

gwynlas said:

Having the cloakroom under the stairs but not having the planned storage cupboard would concern me as there is no downstairs space for ironing board vacuum cleaner coats etc,

Is that not what ST is ?

ThisIsWeird

jonnym1985 said:

For reference, we are No.74, driveways to either side and no windows on No.73 facing us.

So these windows would be on the LH wall (looking down on that plan), close to your boundary (just a path-width away?) and looking out on only on to your neighbour's driveway and house? If so, I'd say 'phew' that they left them off.

If you were that neighbour, how would you feel about these windows? As someone else said, good chance they'd put a 6' fence up - pretty sure I would. And if I discovered afterwards that these windows were not original fitment, but that my neighbour had insisted on them being retro-fitted, I think I'd be a bit concerned.

gwynlas

For caprikid1

After a bit of searching I have found the approved plans online. So, they don’t have the windows but do show a store cupboard off the hallway (which wasn’t built eithe.

jrawle

gwynlas said:
After a bit of searching I have found the approved plans online. So, they don’t have the windows but do show a store cupboard off the hallway (which wasn’t built eithe.

Would you really want the cupboard taking away the corner of your lounge and leaving you with an oddly shaped room?

Regarding the windows, it's common for the drawings of a particular house type on a new development to say "Plots 20 and 36 only" next to additional side windows, etc. I'm surprised if it didn't say that.

Are there fences between the driveways? Some people have suggested that if there aren't, the neighbours may put up a "6' fence", but on many estates this would not be allowed as permitted development rights are typically removed. I'd need planning permission to put up even a 1' fence (in theory at least).

ComicGeek

Internal layouts for planning applications are fairly meaningless. The developer can make changes to the internal layouts of the houses without affecting planning consent. It is only the external appearance that the planners are interested in, along with number of bedrooms, tenure type etc.

jonnym1985

So, the developer rang today with an apology saying they’ve no idea how things got that far as the wrong image had been used…the floor plan on the pictures doesn’t exist in any house in the development. We are getting the fireplace and electrics moved at no expense, and they were going to speak to the director and ring me tomorrow morning with a good will discount off our upgrades. I will be reinforcing the fact that time is of the essence given our current tenancy termination.

All in all not a bad result all round, not the argument we thought we might have on our hands, and they seem concerned about losing the sale so may well offer us a decent discount. We will know by 10am tomorrow.

Thanks all

EssexHebridean

That sounds really positive - I’m delighted to hear it! 

UnderOffer

ThisIsWeird said:

jonnym1985 said:

For reference, we are No.74, driveways to either side and no windows on No.73 facing us.

So these windows would be on the LH wall (looking down on that plan), close to your boundary (just a path-width away?) and looking out on only on to your neighbour's driveway and house? If so, I'd say 'phew' that they left them off.

If you were that neighbour, how would you feel about these windows? As someone else said, good chance they'd put a 6' fence up - pretty sure I would. And if I discovered afterwards that these windows were not original fitment, but that my neighbour had insisted on them being retro-fitted, I think I'd be a bit concerned.

I thought the missing windows were due to look out towards the neighbour at no.75? 

jonnym1985

So today we reached an agreement and have put the saga to bed. We were promised the fireplace and electrics will be moved in time for completion (the other sockets are remaining to save some work so we will benefit from a few extra outlets, hidden bonus) plus they offered a relatively small good will gesture. We chanced our luck emphasising our points and we have now received significantly more off our upgrades, allowing us to buy the sofa we wanted to for the new layout.

A pretty fair result we feel.

Thanks for all the advice and constructive comments everyone

mi-key

jonnym1985 said:

So today we reached an agreement and have put the saga to bed. We were promised the fireplace and electrics will be moved in time for completion (the other sockets are remaining to save some work so we will benefit from a few extra outlets, hidden bonus) plus they offered a relatively small good will gesture. We chanced our luck emphasising our points and we have now received significantly more off our upgrades, allowing us to buy the sofa we wanted to for the new layout.

A pretty fair result we feel.

Thanks for all the advice and constructive comments everyone

Glad it worked out well for you