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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think neighbours are being selfish over extension?

229 replies

nearlynot · 19/02/2020 08:32

Extension is ground and first floor, 5.5 meters long, with ground level extending a bit further. West facing.

Is neighbour BU to object if half the garden will have no extension or shadowing. Neighbour always home and claims it will be detrimental to have shadow over back of the house/windows. Who is BU?

OP posts:
ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 19/02/2020 08:35

No one is unreasonable, its the reason people are allowed to contest planning permission.

Bluntness100 · 19/02/2020 08:35

What do you mean they are being objecting to half the garden having no extension or shadowing? That makes no sense?

Do you mean they are objecting because half the garden will have an extension and cause shadowing in theirs?

If so then yes this is reasonable. Who the heck wants their garden shadowed like that?

Tombakersscarf · 19/02/2020 08:36

That is a massive extension. It's a bit like a new house arriving in next door's garden. Is this a rerverse?

StarShapedWindow · 19/02/2020 08:36

I agree with Bluntness

Finfintytint · 19/02/2020 08:37

If the level of light through the windows is significantly diminishing the light inside then they may have an argument. Don’t think there is a right to light in gardens though.

FriedasCarLoad · 19/02/2020 08:37

If one of more of neighbour’s rooms will constantly be in shadow, they’re definitely right to object. (Morally that is; I don't know about legal grounds).

Eeyoresstickhouse · 19/02/2020 08:37

Well will her garden and house have shadows? It might not be a big deal to you, but imagine if your neighbour did this and the back of your house and half your garden will now have shadows on it? Would you be happy?

You have a right to apply for planning permission and your neighbour has a right to object. Doesn't mean you won't get your permission. Planning will look at all of the objections and see if they have merit.

Lucked · 19/02/2020 08:38

This is why it is not your decision to make. Let the planners decide. I imagine your neighbour considers you very selfish.

SoupDragon · 19/02/2020 08:38

They are no more selfish than the neighbour subjecting them to months of noisy building work when they have to put up with all the disruption and none of the gain. Having an extension built is one of the most selfish things you can do as a neighbour.

It's one of the things you have to put up with when you live in an environment with neighbours but that doesn't negate the fact that it is incredibly selfish.

NemophilistRebel · 19/02/2020 08:39

Sounds massive, I don’t think the neighbours WBU to be concerned about the reduction of light

SoupDragon · 19/02/2020 08:39

half the garden will have no extension or shadowing

But the whole of the back of the house will.

MotherHeyho · 19/02/2020 08:39

It’s not a question of whether neighbour is BU or not but rather whether they have valid grounds to object under local planning rules. Look these up and see. They tend to be very limited. If there are no grounds for them to object, you have nothing to worry about.

CustardOmlet · 19/02/2020 08:40

Of cause they ANBU, if you are to the south of them, they will have no sunlight into the back of their house, that depressing!

Jarvisisgod · 19/02/2020 08:40

I objected to an extension like this. I said it came too close to my boundary so it’s feel like they were practically in my garden. They’ve had to shorten it

FET2020 · 19/02/2020 08:40

Your poor neighbours. Just move and buy a bigger house. People who build extensions are so bloody selfish

SpruceTree · 19/02/2020 08:41

Are you the neighbour who is objecting or the one building the extension OP?

GreenTulips · 19/02/2020 08:43

SoupDragon

Well said, totally agree with you.

Want a bigger house? Go and buy one!

Bluntness100 · 19/02/2020 08:44

It will also likely reduce the value of their property if half the neighbours garden is now a building and shadows their garden and home.

It sounds like a massive extension in a small space, the max permissible, if it's half the garden, as it can't be more than 50 percent.

Definetly not unreasonable to object, I think nearly everyone would.

Stompythedinosaur · 19/02/2020 08:46

Of course they are fine to object, it will effect them! Doesn't mean the permission won't go through. The planners get to decide what's fair to both parties.

GnomeDePlume · 19/02/2020 08:48

Neighbours can object but doesnt mean that their objection will be sustained. There is nothing selfish about raising an objection. When people plan development work they see what they will gain for themselves what they dont see is what the neighbour loses.

Original poster
nearlynot · 19/02/2020 08:49

Once the extension is complete, would it BU to not allow the neighbour complaining to then use said new driveway for access to complete building work on their property (albeit smaller work)?

OP posts:
JacquesHammer · 19/02/2020 08:51

Once the extension is complete, would it BU to not allow the neighbour complaining to then use said new driveway for access to complete building work on their property (albeit smaller work)?

It would make you incredibly petty.

lunar1 · 19/02/2020 08:52

You really don't like your neighbours do you?

Woeisme99 · 19/02/2020 08:52

You sound like an absolute peach tp live next to.
If you wanted a house with 100m more floor space you should have bought one, not subject your poor neighbour to this!

Trahira · 19/02/2020 08:53

Neighbour is not being unreasonable to object as it will impact them. Not allowing them access would seem petty if the extension has gone ahead despite the objection, but understandable if their objection caused planning for the extension to be turned down.