Rendering

JuliaMary_2

Advice if possible -
Neighbour had built extension on back of property next to ours. Due to different roof lines they've left small gap between our old extension and their new one. This is capped in but there is a drop. 

On council plans it says all extension build will be rendered and finished to match existing.
Today builder has said they can't render side facing us fully as access too difficult - due to closeness of their build.
This means we're now looking at breeze blocks from side conservatory windows.
Given finish was stated on plans do we have any right? Not sure if planning or building control will be interested. 

Builder suggested we change side conservatory windows to plastic panels but that would cost us money to cover up their lack of finish and probably won't be cheap. We do have legal cover on house insurance.
Thanks

FreeBear

Some photos would help so that we can visualise the problem.

One option to reduce the slyness of breeze or concrete block is to give the visible part of the wall a few coats of paint. Won't completely solve the problem, but should make it a little more bearable.

Another option is to fix some silicate (or cement) boards to the wall. A good dollop of structural adhesive should hold them in place. How to get them in to the gap will be a good mental exercise for the builder.

ThisIsWeird

Call up your Leg Prot and ask - it won't cost you a penny.
Call up Build Control and ask - ditto.
Consider frosted film for the affected windows - probably nicer than plastic panels.

bengalknights

Get the neighbour and the builder to do what they suggest FOC for you, but ensure the window is replaced with brick and not plastic panels.

ThisIsWeird

bengalknights said:

Get the neighbour and the builder to do what they suggest FOC for you, but ensure the window is replaced with brick and not plastic panels.

Assuming it's a PVC connie, then insulated plastic panels - to at least DGlazing standard - should be fine. 

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: Call up Build Control and ask

It is not a Building Control issue, but one of planning. If planning permission stipulated that all walls were to be rendered, then that department is the one to enforce. BC will only be interested if any part of the structure didn't meet the required standards - They won't give two hoots what it looks like.

ThisIsWeird

Surely render is not just a cosmetic finish?

stuart45

It can be either. If used on an AAC solid block wall it would be used to prevent water ingress. If used on a cavity wall with a concrete block exterior skin it could be cosmetic.

ThisIsWeird

In your experience, Stu, would a BCO normally sign off a completion cert if the wall hasn't been rendered?
The Archi and builder must have sussed out from the off that this would be tricky? Any chance of a photo, Julia?

stuart45

Depends on the situation TIW. If it was a solid wall that needed render for protection than it shouldn't be signed off. If it's a cavity wall with the external skin in concrete blocks and jointed up he might not be worried about one flank. Might not even notice. 
As you said, they must have known in the planning stage about this issue. A better solution would have been to use face bricks on that flank.