I've posted in property about planning permission issue before but it's taken a different turn.
We need more space in our house to accommodate growing family. Put in a planning application with specialist company that do loft conversions and we are now going through the process.
In a nutshell we want to do what next door neighbour has already done.
We live in a detached property so no impact on neighbours or party wall agreements. All building work will be within our own boundary and not up against the fence or anything like that.
Went round to all neighbours to explain situation before application went in so it didn't come as a surprise.
Anyway said neighbour (one who has already done the same thing!) has reacted very badly and has mounted a campaign against us. Basically going round bullying others to put in complaints. People on our road are happy and haven't complained, they have been supportive. It's the ones in adjacent roads they have got to write complaints. Also Parish Council has jumped on to their side without talking to us at all.
What has annoyed me is they have been going round calling our plan all lies and whipping up anger when actually we are doing exactly what two houses in close proximity have already done!!
I'm expecting in the autumn and this is really is stressful. Feel's like a very personal attack. We have tried to be nice neighbours but won't be bullied. It's sad that it's gone sour.
Said neighbour was a bit funny from the start and does have a reputation for stirring up trouble according to others so I probably shouldn't be surprised but it's the hypocrisy that I'm finding hard to deal with.
Has anyone experienced this and got any advice?
AIBU?
AIBU trying to improve my house!?
Snoringlittlemonkey · 30/04/2016 07:08
Don't worry OP, my next door neighbour threw her toys out of the pram when she discovered we were building an extension. Complained to the planning office and building control. Told them we were planning a two story extension, it was a single story. When that got her no where, she had the cheek to send a letter dreaming than we put up, at our expense, a fence on top of the six foot, shared wall, so she couldn't see the extension. 
When I refused, she then reported that we put up a beautiful two sided fence between us and her parents, on the other side, which her parents were delighted with. Her parents would have been seriously pissed if they knew. It was temper tantrum, after temper tantrum. The planning people thought she was a prick, as one of the over worked staff told me. 
Just because someone doesn't like something, doesn't mean the planning office will pay any heed to them. Enjoy your home and take comfort from the fact that most of your neighbours seem to support you. Those that don't will be pisssed of at the trouble maker for bulkshitting them, when they see the extension up, and you'll have a beautiful home to enjoy with your family.
Thanks everyone. Reading your experiences really helps and makes me feel less like we're on our own 
I'll have to come back for a MN cyber huddle when they pull their next stunt. I'm expecting pitch forks and torches at the front door, with cries of 'burn the witch!'
with cries of 'burn the witch!'
Depends if you live in a smoke free zone.
Poverty I'm sure they'd wave any smoke free zone issues just to burn me at the stake! The hypocrisy knows no bounds
I don't think next door is the councillor tbh. I'm sure they would have taken great delight in telling us that!
No real update just need a MN huddle 
I'm getting stressed about all this now. There has been a delay in getting the planning officer out to visit the site so we've been in limbo for a few weeks now. We're more than happy to make compromises we just don't have anything to go on yet. The waiting is horrible. I'm hormonal and getting more pregnant by the minute!!!
Our next door neighbour has stirred up a campaign against us and their insisting the planning officer goes round to see them. He doesn't have to but he is going to before he sees us. He's told our contractor that he's not going to get in the middle of a neighbour argument. Our contractor has reassured him we are nice and are just interested in his feedback not anything else.
It's going to go to committee now so our plan is to revise the drawings in line with his recommendations and hopefully get his support to take it to committee.
I'm stressed and angry mainly because our neighbours are being so hypocritical about the whole thing. They've already done the same thing and their roof towers above ours!! The other neighbours who have objected have all done building work in the last 2 years!!
Is there anyone out there who can talk me down
Sounds like they like feeling superior to you and it is sour grapes.
Just keep calm and think of the finished result 
It will be worth it. Then you need never speak to these people again.
What is the next door neighbour's objection? Or is it potentially identifying?
How can he possibly argue against something he has had done himself?
I would imagine it's hard for the planning officers to refuse your application if your neighbour's similar extension was approved.
Can you get your local MP or councillor on side?
Thanks lee
Can't really go into objections as it will be identifiable. But we've looked into each one and only one has merit which can be easily overcome by removing a window which we are happy to do. All others are a bit silly in the words of our contractor, if we get planning permission I'll come back and post them because some really are a bit crazy I kid you not!
Not sure how they have the nerve to be so hypocritical to be honest. It beggars belief.
Anyway like you say just trying to focus on the end result.
And if that doesn't work, I can always paint our house in red and white stripes...
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