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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To build an extension that will p*ss the neighbours off?

50 replies

Porksword · 18/01/2011 14:26

Apologies, this is a dull dilema.

We've had a few meetings with the architect to plan a single storey extension to our lounge. Because of the changes to planning regs, what we want falls within 'permitted' limits and so we don't need planning permission.

Because we are up close to the boundary with our neighbour, I know that they are not going to be impressed as we will reduce light to their kitchen.

When I explained this to the architect, his (rather more long winded)response was tough sh*t.

Would I be an asshole to go ahead anyway?

OP posts:
aPixieInMyCaramelLatte · 18/01/2011 14:28

Are you friends with your neighbours? Do you want to stay friends with your neighbours?

Because if anyone did this to me I'd be pretty pissed off even though you are well within your rights to do it.

elephantjelly · 18/01/2011 14:28

yes

ashamedandconfused · 18/01/2011 14:29

are you my neighbour?

if not you can do it Wink

unhappyshopper · 18/01/2011 14:29

You are within your rights, but dont expect to be friends with your neighbours. I would be pissed off if my view and light was blocked.

nowanewme · 18/01/2011 14:30

Are you sure its permitted?
Have you spoken to your neighbours?
Could you alter the scheme to get what you want but lessen the impact?

Butterbur · 18/01/2011 14:31

Yes. You would. How would you like it if someone cut down the light to your kitchen? What if they did something to retaliate, like planting a giant leylandii hedge, or keeping a pig in their garden? It could be the start of a war, and your life could be hell. And you would have to declare any disagreements when you come to sell.

jade80 · 18/01/2011 14:31

It's your land, if it's allowed by planning then I don't think they can reasonably be arsey about it. How would they/you be if the situation was reversed? Is there any way of slightly altering your plans so it effects them less?

dickiedavisthunderthighs · 18/01/2011 14:32

I think you know the answer (and have a decent moral compass) because if you didn't care you wouldn't have posted this in the first place.

Don't do it, you'll seriously regret the impact it has and by the time you do it will be too late to do anything about it Sad

theyoungvisiter · 18/01/2011 14:33

why not talk to them about your plans? They may not mind, or they may be thinking about extending themselves and want to do a dual project - which would save money and preserve their light.

You've got nothing to lose by at least chatting to them.

LittleMissHissyFit · 18/01/2011 14:33

Be a bigger person, do the right thing and go round to your neighbours and get their buy-in

There will be noise, dust, trades tramping about and their light may be compromised.

Be a decent neighbour and go and talk it through with them FGS.

Hardly Rocket Science is it, this being considerate business?

gymbunnynot · 18/01/2011 14:34

Be careful, if you are within a certain distance to their boundry, planning or no planning you will have to serve a party wall agreement to get their permission.

No you don't want to fall out, we fell out with some neighbours years ago over their extension and believe me you DO NOT want to go through that!

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 18/01/2011 14:35

How close to your boundry are you planning to build? Please check with your local planning department before you do anything and they'll clarify it for you. The extension size may come under permissable development, but there may still be other things you need to take into consideration (distance to the boundry, pitch of the roof, roof height etc etc).

I don't know all this for defo, but I would find out if I were you. Also look at your planning departments webpage and they may have info on permissable development.

altinkum · 18/01/2011 14:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 18/01/2011 14:37

Also, forgot to say, look into the party wall act and see if it is applicable to your proposed extension.

If it is applicable to you a neighbour cannot refuse the act, but they can make it very expensive for you.

All these things need to be taken into consideration when you budget for the build.

nowanewme · 18/01/2011 14:38

Tbh a single story with a flat roof that isnt actually adjoining your neighbours property shoul have a minimal effect ~ your neighbours may be fine with it. No harm in asking

Quenelle · 18/01/2011 14:39

YABU It happened to us once. And it did make a huge difference.

Just ask yourself how you'd feel if a neighbour did it to you?

nowanewme · 18/01/2011 14:40

I assume you have some kind of wall/fence at your boundary?

Ormirian · 18/01/2011 14:41

Yes you would be.

dreamingofsun · 18/01/2011 14:41

gosh everyone round here seems to build whatever they can regardless of neighbours feelings. if its single story is it really going to reduce the light that much? have you minimised the affect, eg lowest roof possible. You could argue that if they were that keen on light they shouldn't have built so near to the boundary.

but i think people are right about it causing upset - this soured the relationship we had with a previous neighbour - we were fed up they were building, he was fed up we complained and got a balcony just above our patio rejected

whats most important - the extension or your frienship?

LadyWellian · 18/01/2011 14:43

Make it out of glass?

Original poster
Porksword · 18/01/2011 14:43

We are friends with them, well at least we nod and say hello in the mornings etc.

Oh bugger, no really don't want to go starting any wars and don't fancy pig sh*t through the letter box Grin

Maybe I should try getting them involved, however what do you do if they are not up for compromise?

Now I've got the dilema of p*ssing the architect off as well over his lovely hand drawn plans, although I guess he is being paid for it!

OP posts:
monkeyflippers · 18/01/2011 14:46

It's a tricky one. You should think about the neighbours of course but you also need to think about what your family need. If you are desperate for that extra space then what else can you do. You can't move to a bigger place just so that you don't upset the neighbours.

Also will it really reduce the light that much? I'm assuming there is a tall fence as with most gardens anyway.

I'm not saying I would be overjoyed if my neighbours did this but I would understand that it was their right.

Original poster
Porksword · 18/01/2011 14:49

In fairness we've always been concerned about it but had been 'encouraged' shall we say by the architect who doesn't see it as an issue, but then again he doesn't have to live here after I suppose Hmm

OP posts:
nowanewme · 18/01/2011 14:50

Try speaking to your neighbours explain you WERE going to build a (much worse case scenario) but that you didnt think it would be fair on them so you are going to do b,c and d to mittigate. Would this be ok with them? Do they have any suggestions on anything else you could do to reduce the impact on them.

monkeyflippers · 18/01/2011 14:51

You could offer to have that part of their garden decked or paved or something pretty.

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