Neighbour wanting to put a balcony in their loft conversion (terraced house)

[Cinnabunbun]

Would you object to planning permission if your neighbour's loft conversion plans included a patio balcony?

I live in a standard London terrace of Edwardian/Late Victorian terraced houses. The house next door is already converted into 2 flats. The owners of the first floor flat want to convert their loft which of course we have no problem with. About half the lofts in our street are converted already with the usual dormer box shape.

None of the other loft conversions around here have balconies. Is this because planning permission for balconies is tricky to get? I'm worried that it may make our garden feel more overlooked. Having an outdoor social space at loft level feels different to just having a massive glass window somehow.

The current neighbours are a lovely quiet couple so I wouldn't feel worried about them. It's more the unknown future tenants. I imagine it would feel horrible to have smokers sitting out there. It would definitely make our garden feel less private if their balcony was used as an outdoor social space.

AIBU?

The whole point of having your privacy invaded is how you "feel". Think about re-sale, get the emotion out of the way in any statements.

I would object if you’re unhappy with it. Now is the time to do it. It shouldn’t impact your future plans especially if you go down the permitted development route as that won’t require planning permission (if you keep within the guidelines).

If it's big enough to sit and eat on, perhaps a barbecue?, it would certainly be different from a plate glass window. There would be a lot more noise and sound travels. I think you'd have a reasonable objection.

People do not usually sit next to a window staring out over someone's garden.
People do sit on a balcony for ages looking at the view - which may well be the OPS garden.
If hte balcony is large enough for table and chairs I would object.
If you think that any alterations such as frosted glass surround etc might improve the situation (as only you know hte specifics of the situation) then mention those in your letter.

It’s part and parcel of urban living. People will constantly want to upgrade their properties and max out on any opportunity to create more space, in or out.

Look at the plans carefully and discuss with the planning officer what legal objection you can make, if any. Perhaps opaque glass around the terrace area would help all round?

Don’t be spiteful or unreasonable in your objections, you still need to get along as neighbours. We did object to a new dwelling being put up almost opposite our house on the site of a garage- it would have been complout of keeping- and planning was refused. Those neighbours have never spoken to us again. This doesn’t in fact matter due to the layout but in general it’s always good to stay on good terms.

They bought the flat knowing there wasn't any outdoor space - getting some will increase the price of their flat but possible reduce your's potentially. I would object.

I would object, I certainly wouldn't want someone to be overlooking my garden and my privacy potentially all summer and possibly longer.

It isn't the same as looking out of the window, who has friends round and all sit and look out of the window? if it is their only outside space they are going to spend time using it.

A small patio like that is not the same as a large area which could be used for parties or something. Also don't see how small patio would impact on the privacy of your garden when their windows already look down over it?

Also don't see how small patio would impact on the privacy of your garden when their windows already look down over it

If the balcony didn't make a difference, then why would they build it?They can see out now, they'll be able to see more with a balcony.

What I've learned is that your objections are pretty meaningless if it is within the boroughs master plan and guidelines. I would call the council and ask if this is likely to go through and if it's within guidelines. If it is it will go through regardless of your objection so what's the point of creating bad feeling.

I would object.

I think I would object for privacy reasons but potential noise would be the bigger issue for me,such as loud music and noisy, boozy chatting day or night.

Yo would object on the grounds of being overlooked, and disturbance from noise and smells.

I would object. We used to rent a house and the house next door did this. It destroyed a lot of our privacy.

They can see in your garden anyway. I wouldn't object.

Yes, they can, pigsears but no one sits by the window for hours socialising. A balcony is different.

They can see in your garden anyway. I wouldn't object

A balcony means they can stay there comfortably. Object

I think you should object but do understand that your objection will be visible. Make sure it is specific without any personal feeling included and includes at least one Material Planning Consideration relating to land use (google material considerations)

These are the ONLY reasons a planning application can be judged by so it is very important you conform to what the planning officer can determine the application.

“People do sit on a balcony for ages looking at the view - which may well be the OPS garden.”

Unless they’re peeping toms (and in which case they can stare out of the window), then no- having a balcony put in l isn’t going to make them any more likely to spend all day eyeballing the neighbours than before.

Watching other people hanging the washing out or throwing balls for simply isn’t that interesting TBH.

I would not object. I can tell from the way that you word your post, that you don’t really want to deny your neighbours a bit of outside space. It will improve their quality of life. Yes, you will be a bit more overlooked but this is London living; it’s often pretty high density. I’m sure you appreciate you are lucky to have a house with a garden :)

A relative of mine had this recently with their neighbour and they objected (along with about half the street) and planning was turned down, despite the neighbour using a specialist planning consultant (i.e. they knew they were on dodgy ground). It would be unusual for them to get permission in such circumstances. If what the OP is planning is permitted development then there aren't grounds to object.

Is your garden in between two rows of terraces? If so, it's overlooked from all sides anyway.

I think a balcony that is only big enough for a table and a pot plant is going to make no difference at all to your life. If you get the kind of neighbour who's going to rowdily smoke/drink all hours they'll make your lives miserable in other ways I'm sure.

My first thought was that it would be one of those Velux-types where tit is built into the roofline but the top lifts up and the bottom bit goes out into a type of balcony; therefore the actual balcony bit is only there when it is open, IYSWIM. Quite nice really (I'd love one)

I'd object to a proper balcony big enough for table and chairs. Maybe a small Juliette type balcony is a compromise? Fresh air and view but no sitting outside and smoking?

when you say balcony, do you mean it sticks out from the wall on brackets?

your description sounds more like a flat roof. It will cost them a fortune to make it strong enough and waterproof enough to pass BRs. And then it will leak.

If it will overlook your garden or windows, then please object. Trust me, having a balcony means people will use it. If they use it, then it will be intrusive and noisy. Your current neighbours may be fine, but future meighbours may be CFs. It will also (potentially) impact the value of your flat/house.

Planners take privacy quite seriously, so they are likely to listen.