neighbours house different to planning approval (2ft higher and windows twice size)

M

Millie01

Guest
Hi - Our neighbours house is at least 2 feet higher than approved, the windows doubled in size, neither of which i objected to at the time, but now theres a large lean-to being built at the back of their garden.

No planning permission was sought for any of these changes and I'm beginning to wonder how far this will go.

Is is too late to object to the changes?

The issue is that we are the blow-ins in a very rural area where getting along with your neighbours is important.

I'm looking for advice on how best to deal with this situation.
 
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Re: neighbours house different to planning approval

Millie01 said:
Hi - I'm looking for advice on how best to deal with this situation.
Click to expand...
What exactly is the situation.? Is the height of the house or the larger windows infringing on your privacy or your property.? Is the lean-to at the back of their garden being erected against a shared fence or hedge?
 
Re: neighbours house different to planning approval

No the lean-to is not infringing on us but is very big and an eye sore to say the least, and im concerned that if this pattern of disregarding planning permission continues, it will affect the sale-ability of our house in the future. Both houses were based on the same plans and should look identical but with all the attractive design elements removed next door and other features added such as round windows in the new height upstairs, and now a large lean-to visible from the road, the place is becoming unsightly. I just dont know how to communicate this without causing offence and/or animosity.
 
Re: neighbours house different to planning approval

It might be an idea to contact the council and ask if you would need planning permission to erect a lean-to/pergola in your garden and if you could change the size of your windows. That way you are not directly drawing attention to your neighbour and at the same time finding out if planning permission was in fact needed.
We all have different tastes and what you see as adversely affecting the sale-ability of your house in the future your neighbour may see as adding value to theirs. I don't feel you will ever be in a position to communicate your feelings without causing offence and animosity.
 
Re: neighbours house different to planning approval (2ft higher and windows twice siz

Go onto the internet and go to your relative county council site. If you look in planning you should be able to get a file number for the house in question.
If you then go to the council you can view the file and see exactly what conditions are attached to the planning permission ( sometimes they even have those on the web as an attachment to the file).
If they are in non compliance with their planning and conditions, you can fill out a form stating that and send it to the ebforcment office of the council and let them deal with any issues.
 
Re: neighbours house different to planning approval


With your house now looking so much better than the house next door, You'll have no problem whatsoever selling in the future
 
Re: neighbours house different to planning approval (2ft higher and windows twice siz


Yeah but what happens then is that the neighbour will build and then look for retention on the add-ons and more than likely will get retention - happens all the time, especially in rural areas. It is very rare for planning dept to force an owner to tear something down. You are within your rights to make an objection but you will probably end up with an enemy next door. Tread carefully either way.
 
Re: neighbours house different to planning approval (2ft higher and windows twice siz

Suggest you contact the planning dept, and make appointment to speak to the planner for your area to allow you discuss your concerns... whatever about the house.. the large leantois sounds desperate... Best you check what they did have planning for in case they did have planning before you blew in.. If he agrees there are issues then maybe he can speak to your neighbours without mentioning your name

As an alternative.. can you plant hedge or other on your side to help hide the neighbours?
 
Re: neighbours house different to planning approval (2ft higher and windows twice siz

+1 WHat Ann1 has suggested as a starting point to preserve peace.

+1 Maverick.ie and chlipps have said if you wish to take it further.

If the lean-to is visible from the "front" of the house - and many rural developments can be seen "in the round" from a long way off - it requires permission.

Elevational changes can be accommodated to some degree under Section 4(1)(h) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, but the planner will listen to your concerns and review the situation.

It is important to preserve goodwill where you can and thus you should use phrases in any formal written referral that allows for doubt, such as:

"it seems"
"it appears"
"whether or not it is compliant with the planning orders"
"whether or not it requires permission or constitutes exempted development"

Don't make strident allegations, question "the compliance or otherwise" of the extension and changes.

That keeps it on a certain level.

ONQ.
 
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