New neighbour - extension building works

[Ffossip]

Hi, we have new neighbors, I've met them several times and they seem pretty friendly.

They've invited me and my partner over for a chat to discuss some building work/extention they are planning to do and have promised us a set of plans to take away.

We want to be as amicable as possible but from previous threads I've read on here in the past, I'm aware there is potential for CF territory here and I'd like to be aware of any pitfalls I need to look out for.

Play it safe by asking for copies of the plans to take away in discuss in private. Don't feel you have to agree to anything before that, be polite but non committal until you know the details.

They might just be doing the right thing and going through the plans with you prior to starting work. It will impact you while the work is being done due to noise/disruption but it may be nothing more than that. We've always discussed work with our immediate neighbours even when it won't really affect them. It's just the polite thing to do. Obviously you'll get chance to object to the plans during the planning permission process with the council, but unless they're building something that overlooks or impacts you massively, your objection probably won't stand. And any objections are seen by them so unless you're really unhappy or genuinely impacts your property then it's not worth objecting. Good to have an upfront discussion though and take the plans away to review on your own. Hope it goes ok!

@roastednuts123 not all extensions require planning permission.

Yes good point, there is 'permitted development' which this could fall into. I meant to add my post that I'm no expert in this area!

Find out if it’s permitted development or full planning they need. Do you share any walls where they plan to extend? In which case mention the need for a party wall surveyor. But in the first instance yes, just view the plans and keep your cards close to your chest initially if they look like they’ll impact your property in a way you don’t like. Or if you feel the need to say something just say lightly “I’m a bit concerned about X, we’ll need to consider it”. Will they need access to your property for scaffolding? If so ask them for proposed plans of that and evidence of the scaffolders insurance.

“I’m a bit concerned about X, we’ll need to consider it”.

Consider what? If they get planning permission they can do what they want 😵‍💫

OP it sounds like you’re going into this ready for a fight. Weird. Just chill out, chances are it will all be fine. Don’t get stressed until you need to.

@Youwhatnowbiggles I suspect they may need access for scaffolding - although until we see plans it's difficult to say whether they could get around this by placing scaffolding front and back only rather down the side iyswim? Hard to explain.

But are we obliged to grant them access to our property for scaffolding? If it could be built a different way to avoid that, surely they could explore that, even if it meant more cost could we insist they built in a way to avoid use of our property?

Bear in mind there may come a time when you want to do work/extend and you may need their support.

I would read up on the Party Wall Act as this also applies to Permitted Development. Don't be tempted to agree to them starting work.without a Party Wall Agreement if you need one.

If you look on gov.uk you will find all the answers about the law on extensions.

When mine did building works, they tried to do a bit of a land grab, apparently their architect said their garden had to be a certain width which would have encroached into my garden. 🙄

I would NEVER grant access for scaffolding - it ruins your plants and it makes your garden insecure

Otherwise don't forget it can also be a good thing if you want to do a ground floor or loft extension as it can make it cheaper for both of you

Be polite - remember you have to live next to these people afterwards. As long as they comply with all regulations, they are entitled to do these works.

Don’t feel under pressure to comment to anything in the meeting. Thanks for sharing, we will have a think about this is a perfectly good response to anything.

Make it clear that you want to be completely above board when is comes to any agreements needed, e.g. party wall arrangements, access agreements for scaffolding or access for builders.

Wait and see. As others advise, don't say much when you see the plans in front of them, say thanks for sharing, we appreciate the time to look at them in the next day or so.
Then consider:

• access
• party walls
• shared fencing or anything like that
• light and distance from your house of windows and so on
• whether you want to be flexible now to do similar yourselves (although your goodwill will not necessarily lead to theirs)

Our neighbours did a massive extension and renovation two years ago. I was surprised at how many people kept saying to me that I should object. The plans were actually lovely, the house needed work done and the only thing I asked for was a tree to be moved when the planting was going in. It was too close to my hedge and would stop it from growing. Houses are for living in and times have changed so as long as their plans don't unreasonably impact your quality of life and home, then I'd be pragmatic.

I recommend just going with an open mind and see what they say. We're having an extension soon and we've talked the plans throught with our neighbours. One side won't be affected at all apart from the fact we're having work done so a bit of noise etc. during construction. They were completely chilled and just curious. The other side are more affected but they're at 90 degrees to us so we're mostly changing things alongside their driveway. We do however want to access our garden with the digger etc. via their driveway. They have been very kind and said no problem as long as our builders clear up after themselves. At the end of the day it's likely a few months of a bit of noise and deliveries then however many years of neighbourly relations so hopefully the plans won't affect you and it will be all good.

Thanks everyone.

It's all good - the plans seem sensible and lovely.