Advice Needed - Neighbour trying to build flats joining my semi-detached proprty

shai70

Hi,

Looking for some advice.

I’ve just learnt through a local paper that someone who owns land on the right of our house is planning on building flats directly beside our house. I have some serious concerns, one that we have built into our side access and have velux windows. They are planning on building a three storey property directly next to it, which will block our light. From the drawings it doesn’t looks like they are proposing a gap. If allowed, this would make us a terraced house from being semi detached at present. I need professional help via which I can object. I understand an emotional response is not helpful, which is how I feel, and therefore need some guidance. 

Can they propose to build a property directly next to me and share a wall? From the pic I have uploaded, can you see that my light will be blocked. I have two kitchen veluxes on the side, one study velux and a passage window. Whilst the passage one is frosted, it lets in light. This new property will be higher than that with not enough gap.  If there are any planning officers or anyone with experience, can you please reach out to me. I’ve attached a picture that I’ve taken from the planning portal. I only have my phone at present so have coloured our house in yellow. 

This land beside is the garden belonging to one of the houses.  

Thanks in advance.

koalakoala

Did you build right to the border?

housebuyer143

Is the new development the same height as yours?
I believe they can build up to their boundary line just as you have chosen to. What is currently next to your house?

Emmia

Part of the issue is you chose previously to build over your side access, i.e. right up to the edge of your plot - and they want to do the same.

If you hadn't built over your side access, they couldn't now join on. 

In maintenance tems it's better to join on rather than having a slim gap which is difficult to maintain.

EssexHebridean

Have they served notice on you that they are planning this? I seem to recall that when applying for planning permission neighbours within a certain distance have to be notified, and also public notices are supposed to be displayed in clear view directly adjacent to the proposed development. 

shai70

Yes, we did build right up to the border. It is a garden that is next to the house with a garage and an old fish pond that the old owner used to maintain.

The house is actually on another road and their garden back on to the side of the house. They are proposing to build a house, split into 2 flats (maisonettes) at the back of their garden which attaches to the side of our house, if that makes sense.

New development is the same height as ours now. 

We have not been served notice so far, nothing public apart from an article in the local paper with a picture of our house. In fact the planning application shows pictures of our cars without blanking out the number plates as well.

Grumpy_chap

shai70 said:

 planning application 

This is your opportunity to raise comments, via the planning process.  The Local Authority will give guidance on the points that can be considered in a planning comment.  

Is the proposed building connecting to your existing wall?  If so, the developer should approach you for a party wall agreement.

housebuyer143

My mum got planning permission rejected when the house across from her wanted to convert the semi into flats. She focussed on how it wasn't in keeping with the street (no flats near by) and also parking problems which will increase with the addition of flats. 
She also could show that the top flat could look directly into her bedroom window which was an invasion of privacy as it overlooked her. 

Try and focus on things like this because unfortunately things like noise, building up to their boundary might not hold that much weight.  Maybe it's not in keeping with the area the design or the need for flats? Too imposing? Worried about additional noise created by flats sharing your party wall? Blocking your light and over looking you? Parking? 
Can you get your neighbours on board and get them to complain as well?

bouicca21

I successfully blocked a planning application several years ago by concentrating on the ways it breached council policy - so character of neighbourhood, increased traffic, hazardous access.

OTH objections to building a block of flats next to mine concentrated on the design.  They had to resubmit several times before the design was deemed acceptable.  I think overlooking was one of the issues.

bobster2

bouicca21 said:

I successfully blocked a planning application several years ago by concentrating on the ways it breached council policy - so character of neighbourhood, increased traffic, hazardous access.

OTH objections to building a block of flats next to mine concentrated on the design.  They had to resubmit several times before the design was deemed acceptable.  I think overlooking was one of the issues.

On overlooking - OP is the one with a window pointing at the neighbours (albeit a velux).

Looks like the proposed flats have no windows pointing at OP.

400ixl

Parking would be another consideration depending on what the local policies say. Will there be off road parking for the flats.