Semi-Detached Neighbour Extension?

MoodyMand45

My nan lives in a private house attached to council neighbours, My nan has received a letter from the Council informing her that the council neighbours have applied for permission to have a front extension coming out 2 metres to make the downstairs living room bigger and various alterations inside the house.

The letter invites my nan to type in a code and view the plans and asks if she can make any comments or objections before the end of the month.

The neighbours don't speak much English however my nan likes them as they are a young family and work long hours and they don't cause her any bother.

According to the literature sent to my nan from the council the neighbours are hoping to get the 2 metres to allow more living space although 1.5 metre is usually the normal permitted amount.

It seems from the plans a lot of light could be blocked out if it is 2 metres and I personally don't think it will suit the small house even though it's not really up to me but I worry for my nan.

I am by no means an expert on this but does anyone know how likely approval would be given with this being close to the road. With this being a council property does this give my nan more protection with the council as the landlord keeping an eye on things. Another worry would be affecting value of her house if she ever sold it.

Would love any advice!

sheenas

it seams odd that they have not discussed this prior to the application. Front extensions have a big impact on the street scene and are particularly difficult to get passed. I would raise an objection to the purposes development if you feel it impacts negatively the street and is out of character with other houses. Talk to other residents of the street and get their views and encourage them to raise objections too if they agree.

Adonis555

How can a council house get an extension? I didn't think you could do anything like that if you do not own the property.

Boohoo

Are you sure it's not a housing association property?

If not a HA property was your nans home previously a council property that she bought?

silvercar

maybe the council neighbours exercised their right to buy and are now owner occupiers.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81990672#Comment_81990672

The council could even be paying for it, if the tenants are foster carers.

Boohoo

Would the name of the person or company be on the planning application form as to whom is applying?

Bigphil1474

If they are council tenants they won't be applying for planning permission to extend the house. The council may be applying if the family need extra space and it's easier/cheaper than trying to move them to another property. Still sounds unlikely though. Main consideration tends to be bedrooms for number of occupants. If it is the council applying, then expect it to go through most of the time unless there are strong objections. Have you looked at the plans? 2 Meters isn't a massive amount.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81990931#Comment_81990931

If they are council tenants they won't be applying for planning permission to extend the house.

Anyone can apply for planning consent. You don't have to own the property, nor even occupy it.

If I were a long-term council tenant and wanted the house extended (rather than having to move to a different area) I'd certainly consider doing a householder application for the extension - if the council approves it for planning purposes then it would make it harder for them to refuse permission as landlord. It doesn't mean you could make them pay for the extension, but perhaps that isn't the objective of the OP's neighbour.

What I wouldn't do is apply for a front extension (other than a porch or in exceptional circumstances) on a semi or terrace - as 2m is a lot for a front extension, which planning authorities tend to resist in the best of circumstances.

Boohoo said:

Would the name of the person or company be on the planning application form as to whom is applying?

The name of the applicant is usually on the application form, but there's nothing stopping the application being made in the name of the agent if the person for whom the application is being made wants to keep their details private.

TELLIT01

Irrespective of who is the actual owner of the adjoining property, I would certainly object if it was going to cut down light into the property.

Boohoo

OP do have a copy of the plans that you can put on this thread with names/addresses redacted so we can look at as it would give us a better idea of how much light the extension may take or overlook your nans home.