New neighbours extension plans

[Greenfingeredsue]

Hi all

My current neighbour has died. Now probate is completed her house is being sold.

Her son has prospective buyers. He has mentioned in passing to me that they want to extend the property out the back. I am wondering wtf they can’t just buy a house that meets their needs?

The gardens are quite big so there’s plenty of room for them to do this. However, we don’t want them to.

We need a new shed, so my husband has suggested we build a new one with a greenhouse on their side right as near to the boundary as we can, next to the house.

We’ll do this once contracts have been exchanged so we don’’t scupper the sale, plus they would have to get planning permission.

My only concern is that the new neighbours could force us to dismantle them so the builders can work?

[HollyGoLoudly1]

Why do you care if they extend the house?

[Purplewithred]

What’s the problem with them extending their house?

I doubt they could force you to do anything in your garden to enable their building work.

[Stompythedinosaur]

What is it about your neighbours having an extension that impacts you? If it's about being overlooked then you could try to raise it when they ask for planning permission. I don't think you can just decide that your neighbours can't have an extension at all though, that would be like your neighbours deciding you shouldn't be able to have your shed or greenhouse.

[DDiva]

What is the issue with them extending ? Lots of people buy a house and then extend to add value.

[DDiva]

The greenhouse and shed might make it awkward but realistically if they get planning permission it won't change anything......

[autumnhare]

Lots of reasons they might buy to extend over buying a bigger property - they like the area, good schools (if they have or are planning having kids), like the rest of the house, extending is usually cheaper than buying a larger house.

Why don't you want them to extend? You haven't elaborated on how it would effect you.

[ScubaSteven]

YABU for trying to scupper plans before they've even been made. If there's plenty of room then I'm not sure why you'd object to an extension. If they submit plans and they obstruct you in any way you can object, but what you are doing seems unfair - you've said you don't want to scupper the sale of the house but you're already planning to be awful neighbours.

It's none of your business why they aren't buying a house that meets their needs, maybe this one does but it has room to extend and so they will. It's not always about necessity.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

What a weird post? Why do you care if they extend? Lots of people buy houses with the intention of extending/renovating them, it’s not unusual. To put up a shed to try and stop them is really bizarre behaviour.

[TheGreatWave]

You don't want your shed or greenhouse right up to the boundary as you need to be able to access it to maintain them.

[bravotango]

YABU and honestly a bit strange

[Oldbutstillgotit]

It could be they like the area . Our newish neighbours plan to knock down the garage , build a Granny Annex and extend their kitchen out the back .
The noise etc will be a pain and they are already inconsiderate parkers but they aren’t doing anything wrong as far as I can see ( and believe me I have tried!)

[Alexandernevermind]

Why don't you want them to extend? Why do you need to build a greenhouse on the boundary - it it so that you can contest the extension?

[FishOnPillows]

Sometimes people can’t find the house they need, so end up buying a smaller house and extending it.
Or sometimes it’s more cost effective to - for example, in many areas it’s cheaper to buy a 3-bed and extend than it is to buy a 4-bed.

Unless you have good reason to object, even if they need planning permission (they might not, depending on the extension), I don’t see what the problem is.

[EdinaMonsoon]

You need to be clear about what your actual objection to a proposed extension is. If you can clarify on this thread, it might be helpful for further discussion of your post. Otherwise, YABU to simply say a flat no without reason.

[MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously]

I don't think they can access your garden to do building work. Just tell them no. Build your shed or greenhouse - their extension difficulty isn't your problem to solve.
I would never allow a neighbour to access my garden for their building work - it's noisy and inconvenient to you for something you derive no benefit from.

[MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously]

I wouldn't build a greenhouse directly on the boundary though - only on my own land.

[Davodia]

You don’t have to permit their builders to have access to your property. Build your shed, they can build the extension from their side and gave no right to ask for your shed to be moved.

[QuietlyWilting]

If they want an extension, as long as it meets planning regs, then that is fine. If you want a new shed, put it where you want. You cannot scupper their extension, they cannot tell you where to put your shed. Your shed won't stop them doing their extension.

[SecretMillionaire]

YABU and sound like a neighbour from hell. Not everyone can buy a house that fits every need. The ink isn’t even dry and you are already plotting ways to be obstructive. Incredibly selfish behaviour on your part.

[DuckALaurent]

You’re being weird and your plans to build a shed on the boundary won’t stop them extending.

They could extend out 3 metres without planning permission too. Over that planning permission is needed but you objecting won’t automatically stop it and it could easily be passed despite you objecting.

Their extension could end up giving you more privacy depending on how it’s done.

I find people like you, who object to others doing things without even knowing what the plans are, utterly depressing and miserable.

[Gulabjamoon]

This just sounds like sour grapes, OP.

‘We don’t want them to’ is going to look great as your reason for objecting to the extension 😂

I am wondering wtf they can’t just buy a house that meets their needs?

I am wondering wtf are we mind readers?

[Greenfingeredsue]

It is the noise and the disruption we don’t want. And we’d put money on them wanting to use our side entrance to bring stuff in (we’re end of terrace - side entrance is on the other side of them.) I have checked and we are not legally obliged to allow this.

[Sushiroller]

Okay good for you...?
You do realise they will just build the extension anyway with about a 5cm gap or adjoin to it?

If it's any comfort maybe they wont be able to afford it immediately.
We moved last year and we planned to extend but due to life/covid/fucked finances i get to live with a shit kitchen with no workspace for a few more years👍👍👍

[DuckALaurent]

Also builders will be able to get around any obstacle you build on the boundary without having access to your land. There are many methods and work arounds for your type.

[Greenfingeredsue]

Shed and greenhouse would mean we have a valid reason to refuse to allow scaffolding in our garden