Neighbour have changed frosted glass door to a clear glass window overlooking our garden

[Lighteningirll]

We live in a lovely detached property which we are doing up but have lost privacy to 1/3 of our garden/garage since our new neighbours moved next door. They have open planned the back half of their house and changed a frosted little used back door into a clear glass main window in front of the sink in the kitchen/diner. The window is two foot away from our side access to garage and gives a clear view into our garage and garden including the sunny evening spot we sit and eat in as a family. Every time I go outside I can see right into their home and they can see me, no more putting the rubbish/recycling out in my knickers!
I did speak to the builder raising concerning and he said they would be putting a fence up. When they moved in dh put a temporary block up, the guy came round and complained about it being unsightly as it the only window in their kitchen. That's because they blocked up the main kitchen window! He initially said they would put a fence up but has now backtracked. The wife has complained about us 'spoiling her view' and says we should have discussed it with her before doing anything. We have now received a note asking us to remove the panel blocking said view (of my garden!) as it is attached to their fence panel. Dh and I went round for a chat and said we were unhappy with the lack of privacy that they were quite possibly in breach of planning and would they please put a fence up. The answer was an empathic no. Apparently they have designed the kitchen intending to look out at our garden and we are being unreasonable and unfair, they have also raised their kitchen floor so even a six foot fence wouldn't block the view and the most they will consider is a low fence and trellis. I am a bit stuck what to do I really don't want to fall out with them but it's all starting to feel a bit inevitable. Dh has refused to take the panel down and in fact intends to put it against the full length of the fence they can now see over and next doors dh is clearly furious and won't even speak to us.

[SoupDragon]

If the panel is attached to their fence, he will have to take it down. There is nothing to stop you putting up your own fence/trellis/tall plants within your boundary though.

What was the door/window marked as on the plans that were approved?

[SquidgeyMidgey]

Plants, fast growing buggers and lots of them. You can put up 6' fencing without planning do I'd wallop that up and grow something tall against it. Can they seriously argue they're entitled to a view of your garden?

[SquidgeyMidgey]

Buddleia grow quickly, clematis montana grow like something possessed- you could bang in 6' trellis panels on your own side and plant one of those.

[MrsKwazii]

If they needed planning permission for the changes they've made, did they stick to the plans? Or does it come under 'permitted development'? May be worth having a chat with the council planning team to find out what local planning regulations allow.

[whatevva]

Get a second hand rotary airer from a friend, put it in the ground (slightly askew) in full view. Decorate it with old jumble-sale rejects and mis-matched plastic pegs and forget to bring it in when it rains.

Or something more subtle.

Give them a view worth putting the fence up for ;)

(invite embarrassing friend to come and put the rubbish out in their smalls)

[canyou]

We must have frosted glass in our hall window as it over looks our neighbour, it was part of the planing and must stay Is there anything like that in the deeds?
I agree put up a 6 ft fence or trellis and some fast growing plants but do not attach it to their fence or posts.

[SquidgeyMidgey]

One of our neighbours has to have frosted glass in the windows that overlook our garden. It's worth an email to your local planning depth to ask if there is any such restriction on that property.

[Teacaddy]

Yes, was this not obvious from the plans? You would have had valid grounds to object to this as

Adverse effect on the residential amenity of neighbours, by reason of (among other factors) noise, disturbance, overlooking, loss of privacy, overshadowing, etc.

Having said that, I'm not sure what your next option is, given that the alteration has already been made. Someone will know!

[SisterMoonshine]

The fact that the window of the door that was there previously was frosted, means it is worth looking into that.

[Lighteningirll]

I think it's going to be planning officer then. It's not feasible to plant there it's a concrete drive to the garage running down the side of our house no where to plant anything and to put up a second fence would also block the access awkward but possible. Dh is refusing to do that as it will be expensive requiring posts sunk into concrete so he's nailed plywood to their fence

[Lighteningirll]

We were not notified they were started work or given a chance to see plans I have just spoken to another neighbour who has lived here longer and she says frosted glass was a part of the original planning so I think it will have to be a complaint to Planning which probably scuppered any chance of good relations

[SquidgeyMidgey]

You can't nail things to their fence without permission. Definitely get onto the planning officer. How about taking down the plywood and putting a football goal there

[Kidnapped]

Something like this would do the job. I know you shouldn't have to fork out for new garden furniture but it would give you privacy.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

I wouldn't have a moments hesitation in doing what you want with regards to screening or a fence. They had no hesitation in doing what they wanted. If they choose to fall out with you then that's up to them.

[Lighteningirll]

Whatevva her dh has already caught me putting the recycling out in just my knickers! I had to hide in the garage til he'd finished making tea that's why dh nailed the plywood up now we have had such a stroppy reaction he wants to take the board down spray a very rude word on and nail it back up

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

They can make you take the board down if it's nailed to their fence. But you can put your own fence up but that would be expensive. I would ring the planning officer.

[Lighteningirll]

Kidnapped that would be great but I'd need two as the angle means they get a wide perspective and worse it would block the garage/carport. Dh uses both loads and is furious.

[Lighteningirll]

WhothefuckisSimon that's how we are thinking they can try and make us take the plywood down but they it would be very difficult they can't get access as it behind locked double gates and short of a court order which would seriously escalate things dh won't take it off. I think it's going to have to be back to Planning I just can't believe they think it's ok to redesign their house based on a view of my garden (which is bloody gorgeous)

[Kidnapped]

Some bamboo in pots then? You can put the pots on casters so that you can move them around easily.

Sorry about this, OP. Rubbish when neighbours behave like this.

[whatevva]

You could string up some bunting made from union jack knickers, for the Queen's birthday . That would be nice to look at.

[SoupDragon]

it would be very difficult they can't get access as it behind locked double gates

Cant they gain access to it the same way they would access a boundary fence?

[SoupDragon]

String up a long washing line with a series of cheap sheets pegged to it. Paint either an ugly landscape on their side or "fuck off you nosey twats".

[Lighteningirll]

I'm liking the bunting idea I might make it out of dh's old pants. Am going to be a grown up go round and say I think they are in breach of planning and that I would like them to replace the frosted glass.

[SquidgeyMidgey]

I'm confused, is the plywood nailed to their fence? If so how is it behind your gates? Sorry it's been a long day...

[StDogolphin]

Have you asked the council where you stand?