WIBU and a snitch to report neighbour?

[DiscoJanet]

Our neighbour is doing a large wraparound extension. It took a few months of back and forth with the council for them to get planning permission, but they finally did.

Building started about 5 weeks ago. It's clear that what they are building is totally not based on the plans that were approved, that our party wall surveyor agreed to, and absolutely contravenes what was approved by planning - eg a 3m high brick wall and pillar at the end where it should have been 2.2m, a vertical 30cm glass window all along the length of the 10m side return extension where it should have been a sloping roof . But it doesn't affect us so much as the neighbour on the other side, who is pretty scared to report them. She's spoken to them and they've sort of vaguely said they'd reduce the height of the brick pillar, but they are basically bullshitting and manipulating her by trying to get her to agree to the glass window. She's worried if she doesn't agree to the glass, they won't change the brick wall, which is what bothers her most.

For us, the only real impact is that our party wall agreement is based on plans which aren't being used, so could affect eg steels and load-bearing capacity. The aesthetics and loss of light etc is a bit worse but not majorly (the impact on us was already massively terrible anyway even with the approved plans tbh but nothing we can do about that.)

But we're so bloody angry that these neighbours, who moved in about a year ago, are basically making a mockery of planning law and just doing what the hell they want. What they're doing would never have got through planning.

Neighbour on other side scared to report them. Would we BU and petty if we did?

Ywnbu. I would definitely report them. It's not on to treat you like this and if you take it the. There'll be something else they take the piss over.

YANBU, they should be following the laws and agreements. I would definitely report it, although would it be obvious that it was you who had reported it? They might not be very happy if they find out it was you!

I’d report based on it affecting your party wall agreement.

Thanks! So report them even though it doesn't actually make much difference to us?

If it’s non compliant with the plans the inspector will not sign it off. You could be left with a problem next door in that case. I would report it.

Yanbu. They’re taking the mickey and if you let this slide it’s likely they’ll do it all the more.

@LeopardPrintTits

YANBU, they should be following the laws and agreements. I would definitely report it, although would it be obvious that it was you who had reported it? They might not be very happy if they find out it was you!

Yes we can't report anonymously, we'd have to give our details etc. Apparently it's 'confidential' but it would be pretty obvious who it was! Yes part of it is how it will affect neighbourly relations but at the same time, they're fuckers!

Yes, I’d definitely report it. Planning restrictions are there for a reason. You’re not being petty.

@Glamazoni

If it’s non compliant with the plans the inspector will not sign it off. You could be left with a problem next door in that case. I would report it.

That's a good point! I think the plans they're using for the build are ones which they had drawn up with an aim for retrospective planning. Not sure if building inspector would check this.

I imagine the Planning Officer would come and and look on the pretext of a spot check rather than a report.
You might as well, as if it doesn’t get signed off it will need to be fixed.
Might save them money.

I would be cautious.
Having bad relations with a neighbour could make your life uncomfortable.

Thanks all. Seems quite unanimous so far!

Yes it's the bad relations that concerns me. Though we're hoping to move at some point nearish future anyway.

Of course you should report them.
They are pushing boundaries and if you let this go I expect you will have further problems in the future.
It also sounds as though they are bullying your other neighbour.
And of course there is the issue of load bearing etc on your party wall. Who pays for any structural damage? How will that affect insurance etc.

They very much sound like give an inch types.

I think local planning may do random visits to check approvals are in line. Chancers should be prepared for this. Maybe check with planning officer and withhold your name. This is why permitted development is becoming a problem. Unfortunately some people abuse it.

You have a party wall agreement. Those things are pretty serious. It would be perfectly reasonable to let the local planning dept know.

Having bad relations with a neighbour could make your life uncomfortable

The neighbours doing the work don't seem to give a shit about that...

YewHedge. If the neighbours are abusing it you already have bad relations sadly.

If it were me (who is a massive twat) I'd let them finish and then report them, so that it costs them more to rectify.

@PolPotNoodle

If it were me (who is a massive twat) I'd let them finish and then report them, so that it costs them more to rectify.

Ha! Like your style

The building inspector normally comes out as the construction goes through different phases as well. They won’t sign it off if they are doing something that’s was not approved- maybe get together with the other neighbour and report together.

Of course you report them now, waiting until they’ve finished means more likely to apply for retrospective permission.
Protect your future house sales by reporting them and not showing the party wall was breached in sales in the future.

Definitely report.

@Mollymalone123

The building inspector normally comes out as the construction goes through different phases as well. They won’t sign it off if they are doing something that’s was not approved- maybe get together with the other neighbour and report together.

The thing is though is that we know that the plans they're now using are ones which are for 'building regulation approval' - a different design to that which planning saw and approved. And I think building control Inspectors will just look at the plans they're using and check they're ok - won't actually check whether these plans are the ones that were approved by planning.

If it’s inevitable they will find out it’s you reporting, maybe give them a heads up just to stave off excess viscousness from them in return. Ie:

Unfortunately your builders are not adhering to approved plans which will be a problem for us in terms of light, aesthetics and possibly structural safety. We feel it fair to let you know we will be asking the council to look at this as it affects a number of your neighbours now and in terms of future sales.