Neighbour’s extension - stressed!

[HildegardeCrowe]

I live in a mid terrace and the neighbour’s are building a side return extension. All amicable so far even though I now have a high brick wall outside my kitchen window. The roof has just had a velux put in which is protruding considerably above the roofline (pics attached) and unsightly. The approved plans (attached) show the velux as being flush with the roof.
AIBU to mention this to see if anything can be done? Really don’t want to get the planning department involved as the delay to their work will be considerable.

I think you have to go back to planning if its differed from the permission granted and you're unhappy with it.

Also that is an ugly wall, It needs to be skimmed and painted white.

Yes that’s what I thought @Felifox. Not so concerned about the wall as will put up a trellis or something - it’s the carbuncle on the roof I don’t much go for!

Does the window make any real difference to you? It’s all ugly anyway and even with the window flush I think you will still be unhappy with it.

No was ok about the wall, just hate the roofline now!

The whole thing is unsightly but the velux not being flush seems like such a minor issue.

I think you won't notice it be the end of the week. I'd let it go.

Think I would want some film over my window now!!

You really won’t notice it in a few weeks time.

Yes, I did fight the plans all the way but they were approved ☹️

I don't mean to sound unkind, and I've been in your shoes before, but you're in a tizzy and it will pass. I know it's crap living next door to other people's building work but it's not like they've snuck in a second storey. It's a window frame. You wouldn't even notice it unless you were standing looking at it. You'll get used to it/learn to ignore it.

YANBU thinking it is unsligntly but it's really about whether you can live with it.

It being above roof level definitely makes it uglier than necessary.

Maybe Start with a conversation-- unlikely to be very fruit ful though as the roof light has no doubt been fitted to instructions.

The wall isn't bad, for a wall opposite a window. Would definitely be awful and out of character with the rest of house if skimmed and painted though so ignore that! Trellis could make it gorgeous.
Good luck!

Compared with the wall, it's such a minor issue. Would it not being there seriously make much difference? Really? You can of course check if it is indeed against planning but in my (limited) experience, I think a velux is allowed to protrude by a sensible amount, which that one is.

Yes maybe I’m getting in a tizz and it’ll pass! Thanks for calming me down.... I won’t be painting the wall as the bricks are in keeping but trellis/hanging baskets should help. I think I’ll just mention it not showing on the plans and see what they say. Can’t see myself going back to the planning department. Have put up with a huge amount of muck, not being able to let the pets out, builders working on my side etc and think I deserve a crate of wine at least!

Velux aren’t flush so unfortunately you are on a hiding to nothing. It’s ugly but is it worth going to planning? Have you a party wall surveyor?

Have put up with a huge amount of muck, not being able to let the pets out, builders working on my side etc and think I deserve a crate of wine at least!

I hear you!

That's as flush as a velux goes. Nothing to fight back on with planning.
You lost the planning,fight - now find something positive to think about. YABVU.

The wall would not bother me so much, as you say trellis etc will make it look fine. I certainly wouldn’t paint it as you will have the maintenance of repainting a wall in the future.

I can’t tell though if when it rains heavily and snows whether that will all flood on to your side?

It all looks fine and not unsightly at all, just probably it’s the “this is new and unwanted” factor makes it seem awful. Give it a few weeks and you won’t notice any of it.

The wall isn’t yours to paint/skim/put trellis up/hang baskets on, is it? Think you can’t touch it, though you can put your own planters in front of it.

The window not being flush would be the least of my worries. I would not like a wall that close to my kitchen window.

I don’t really understand how the houses are situated either as you say you are mid terrace, is this a row of back to back terraces?

That’s pretty normal for a skylight though I can see that the plans were misleading by showing it flush. Doubt you can insist on any change though as the raised skylight doesn’t block extra light or view.

Once you have greened the wall with plants that will be the main focus.

Cheshire it looks like there is a gutter along the extension so should be ok on that front.

Well there’s guttering underneath so trust that’s adequate @CheshireDing

Definitely trellis with some soil or pots at there bottom so as well s climbers you can grow some tree-ish things that will grow above the height of the wall. Once it’s packed with plants it will be a pretty to look out on :)

Some advice on what to get - get evergreen plants that don’t need much sun as I’m guessing they won’t get much. Also when you look for climbers, check they’re not the type to burrow into brick like some ivies or they might have a go at your neighbours extension (which although would probably feel good now might lead to some issues in the future!)

Velux windows always sit on the roof, they are never flush with it . Its as good as it gets

I amazed that they even got planning permission - even though it seems we have no legal right to light, this is far too close to your kitchen window - not remotely acceptable. I think the carbuncle of the protruding velux is the least of your worries; but I can understand why it feels like the last straw. How do you get on with the neighbours?

I would put up trellises or hanging baskets as you will - stuff those unreasonable neighbours.

I live in the country and can see for miles out of the windows - I would hate to be in your situation and you have all my sympathy. I do not think the permission should have been granted in the first place. I hope you have some space and light out of other windows. and I would be royally pissed off with my neighbours for even thinking of doing this.

Where is their guttering?

Or have they got it rebated into the top of the wall section (invisible)?

If not, where do they think the run off is going to go?
If not, will the guttering overhang the boundary?

I’m not sure that is a velux. Is it a fixed roof light?
You can get thinner / low profile conservation velux, I’ve got them but they’re not flush.
Those plans make it look like a fixed pane (?) flush with roof line. Perhaps the current panel is a cost saving as the build went on?