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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Neighbour’s extension - stressed!

92 replies

HildegardeCrowe · 20/12/2020 11:31

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.

OP posts:

DishingOutDone · 20/12/2020 13:27

What was there before OP, the side of their house? Just a different brick wall a bit further away from your window? Have they built right on the boundary or stepped in at all?

DishingOutDone · 20/12/2020 13:29

Oh and what is the the remaining gap between your window and that wall?

Parkperson · 20/12/2020 13:47

They appear to have built up to their boundary BUT you can do the same. My friends had this problem. and they used the new wall as their new boundary wall and extended their kitchen out into the passage with a glazed roof. It looks terrific and has increased the value of their property. You own that space. It might as well be part of your kitchen with bifold doors giving onto your back garden.

Parkperson · 20/12/2020 13:48

The council have allowed their extension so there is precedence and they would have to agree to your extension

sweetgingercat · 20/12/2020 13:53

Plants up the wall and a trellis to hide the roof which the plants can grow on. You could have one of those living walls which would be beautiful. That should hide it. It is undoubtedly ugly, and I understand why you are fuming, but once hidden should not affect you and is not worth falling out over.

Original poster

HildegardeCrowe · 20/12/2020 13:55

Thanks all for your comments. Yes before they extended their wall was just further back. But interesting to know that veluxes/roof lights can be flush and am going to discuss with neighbours.

OP posts:

anxiousstanley · 20/12/2020 13:57

You could put up a privacy screen to cover the whole thing perhaps. You can get some beautiful designs. Try screen with envy.

Lou98 · 20/12/2020 13:59

Sorry but I think YABU, it sounds like pettiness after losing the fight for the planning permission. Whether it's flush or the way it is now it makes no difference to you really, how much time do you actually spend looking out that window at it? I would let it go, it's done. You might also find they had it added it etc. Talk to them if you want but if I was your neighbours I would think it was just you being petty

AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings · 20/12/2020 14:00

I don't understand why you're making such a fuss about this. It's such a minor thing and it won't affect you in any way.

What room does it face in to and how often do you look out if it anyway?

I shuddered when you said you'd objected to their planning permission for a really common type of extension.

You're prepared to kick up a fuss and cost them more money to get a slightly flatter type of roof opening? Really, in the gran scheme of things I'd have a think about whether or not you could just live with it.

Bargebill19 · 20/12/2020 14:02

Can I suggest a lovely Russian vine for your trellis ......?!

baubled · 20/12/2020 14:06

It's going to look like sour grapes because they were approved planning position. Is it being flush going to make such a difference that you'll be happy with it?

Original poster

HildegardeCrowe · 20/12/2020 14:08

I look out all the time. My kitchen window is on the side as is the window of my living room which faces the back too. Typical mid terrace Victorian set up. I had a bit of a view onto the gardens and now I have none. Anyway will just have to see what the neighbours say, I know a lot of you think I’m being petty....

OP posts:

Original poster

HildegardeCrowe · 20/12/2020 14:10

Thanks for planting suggestions. The wall is in deep shade and I’ll have to plant whatever it is in planters as can’t dig into the ground. Is there anything that will grow?

OP posts:

Lou98 · 20/12/2020 14:12

@HildegardeCrowe

But it's the wall blocking the view, not the window not being completely flush and the wall has been approved. Need to move on

Bargebill19 · 20/12/2020 14:12

(Whispers) Russian vine like containers and shade.

I have planted a honeysuckle in deep shade in a cold wall in a deep planter - it is very happy. Easy to control too (if that’s a concern)

ReindeerAntlerLights · 20/12/2020 14:14

The velux does seem particularly bulky and you can get conservation ones that are much more flush with the tiles.

But it is their wall and you cannot attach or grow anything up it without their permission. So if you are wanting hanging baskets and trellis then you need to ask them or come up with an alternative to how to achieve it.

It is sad that you now look out onto a wall, so there are only 2 courses of action, one accept it and live with it possibly coming up with a way to screen it or move house.

My friend had the exact same situation with her neighbours, they built a very similar extension, her windows also looked out on the side and she decided to move.

Beebumble2 · 20/12/2020 14:17

If it’s wrong, the building inspector will comment on it when it comes to the signing off inspection.
They can be flush with the roof line, usually used in conservation areas where the planners are more fussy.
Like others I’d hate to have that wall outside my window, but growing something in front seems a good idea.

cittabassa · 20/12/2020 14:17

I don't agree you're being petty and I feel for you. I would hate that wall so close to my kitchen window and the window looks awful. I'm amazed anyone thinks it's ok.

Whether you can do anything about it I don't know. Wonder if your neighbours would like to look out on that?

nicebreeze · 20/12/2020 14:19

I'm surprised this was permitted as you do have a right to light. There's usually something about 45 angle from windows of habitable rooms.

The plans show flush roof light but the note does say "fitted in accordance with manufacturer instructions or similar" so I doubt an enforcement case would be successful.

That's really an awful extension

Original poster

HildegardeCrowe · 20/12/2020 14:19

Thank you @ReindeerAntlerLights. They’ve agreed I can attach things which is good. But maybe moving is the only answer in the long run.

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Bargebill19 · 20/12/2020 14:22

If it was my view and I could afford too, I would get someone to do one of those fake perspective paintings on the wall. Trompe-l'œil Style. Framed by climbers in tubs.

SurferRona · 20/12/2020 14:22

Whoah, that is ugly ugly ugly (not the wall, the wall is ok). They’ve not complied with the planning granted, they are in breach. So, either they rectify it or reapply retrospectively. One for them to figure out with their builder/architect, and I wonder if they know how it looks to you? I’d definitely want that changed, the aesthetics of a flush window is hugely different and is what they said they would do! Try them, then go to the planning authority ASAP.

Abitofalark · 20/12/2020 14:23

I've been through it with neighbours' extensions (note plural); the feeling of encroachment is intense along with the constant anxiety. Then there are always things you hadn't thought about or expected, like that window.

You could ring the building control officer - not the same as the planning officer - and ask them to take a look; they'd know whether it should be flush or not. I've spoken to them about problems on occasion and they've been helpful.
Depending on their reaction and what they say, you could then decide whether you need to speak the planning officer - don't be apologetic about doing so, even if you'd objected to the plans and feel that the planning officer might regard you as a nuisance.

Be specific when talking to building control or planning and ask for information: does it conform to the specification of window type and model; materials; installation method; finished quality, appearance and roof profile? Incidentally, there should be some written specifications in the planning permission document.

That said, be prepared for council officials, builders and neighbours to see the window as a minor thing and take a different view from yours. I don't know but does the window open? If it does, it could presumably be projecting upwards even more visibly in the roof in your line of sight in the course of ordinary use. Not saying that means there's nothing wrong with the installation but it might be a consideration in people's minds.

Original poster

HildegardeCrowe · 20/12/2020 14:24

I live in a conservation area FWIW. I will contact planning to see what they advise and see if anyone can come round to have a look.

OP posts:

Original poster

HildegardeCrowe · 20/12/2020 14:28

Gosh thanks for your useful post @Abitofalark. Will speak to building control I think. The wall really doesn’t bother me, it’s the protrusion from the roofline. Neighbours aren’t replying to my texts/emails, should I just stop trying to contact them do you think?

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