In asking neighbours not to build an extension during lockdown

[HelpIcantfindaname]

Saw my neighbour on my drive with a workman today. I asked what they were doing. They are planning to extend the front of their house out by about 5'.

They have done constant DIY since moving in a couple of years ago. Most of last spring/summers was in the garden. The noise was annoying, when we were all stuck at home.

My DS(32) has ASD & is noise sensitive. He had ear defenders last year but could not cope with the constant noise from next door. DS is ill with stomach & heart issues, which he thinks are caused by stress.

The trouble with asking the neighbour is that lockdown or tiers could go on a long time, plus I think they are taking advantage of being at home to get work done.

DS is hoping to get a flat but this could be months away. I have DD12 at home too, who will have to live with the constant meltdowns her brother will be having, from the noise next door.

AIBU to ask them to wait?

Do they need planning? Front extensions often do and this will cause a dealt anyway

delay

YANBU! We are planning an extension but I don't want to do it in lockdown, people have nowhere to escape to (including us!). Haven't seen any builders working lately either so I guess there will be a massive backlog of people needing jobs done when we're out of lockdown! So hopefully your neighbour's extension will be a long way off. (Annoying as I want an extension so we can have another babe!)

Yabu. You can't ask them to delay to suit you. When exactly would be convenient for you?

You can ask them if you want but I don't imagine they'll agree.

My neighbours have only just finished theirs after 6 long, noisy months but these things need to be done I'm afraid.

YANBU

but sadly there's not much you can do. Ask by all means, but it might not make any difference.

I saw so much building work in my area during the first lockdown, I felt so sorry for their neighbours.

There are posters on this forum proud of running their appliances at night and kept their neighbours awake, because who cares about others.

You can discuss and hope they are accommodating and reasonable.

You can ask, but it probably won't get you anywhere.

You would be unreasonable. Your family circumstances should not inconvenience your neighbours.

It is likely to need planning if in front of the building line. That would delay it for a few months at least, assuming it is agreed.

I feel for you and your ds but I don’t think you can ask them not to. Or expect them not to, rather!

I mean, you can ask but I wouldn't expect them to say yes.

Check the terms of their planning permission. I am surprised they can build a large front extension.

If they get planning/building regs then sorry they can legally go ahead. Yes it's annoying but it's the same for everyone

Your family circumstances should not inconvenience your neighbours.

But isn’t that what the neighbours are doing with their noise?

I do understand (I have twins who are autistic albeit much younger) and it’s awful when things outside of your control cause them distress in your own home (I’m looking at you, many neighbours who think the whole of winter is “late night fireworks season”). Unfortunately I don’t think it’s likely they will care or be willing to work around you.

Obviously you can ask but they don't have to consider it.

If you had no wait until a time convenient to your neighbour to do building work then no one would ever be able to do anything.

Unless they have already put in planning they are probably a while of starting anyway.

I think a lot of people have realised that they need a bigger house now so many of them are at home all day.

My BIL runs a building company and they've done more extensions in the last 10 months than they did in the preceding 3 years.

Providing they've got all the necessary consents, I think you'll just have to lump it, I'm afraid. Tough on your DS, I hope he manages to find somewhere.

If it’s over 3sqm on the front of the house it needs planning so they may still be in the stage of getting drawings done

I can understand your frustration OP but unfortunately I do think YABU. If they've been doing work since they moved in I imagine they've probably bought the house with plans to renovate etc. I know how much of a pain building work is and there's no harm in asking but I'd be expecting them to say no and I don't think they would be wrong to. They could need the space, taking advantage of being off work etc.

As others have said planning permission can take a while, especially just now a lot of councils have back logs so might be a few months off yet anyway

My neighbours have only just finished theirs after 6 long, noisy months but these things need to be done I'm afraid.

They don't "NEED to be done" though, do they? In a pandemic, extending one's house is in no way necessary. This country is full of self-important people who think their WANTS are more important than the actual needs and rights (peace, mental health, etc) of those around them.

It's not unreasonable to dislike the work. They're not unreasonable to carry out the work. You would be unreasonable to ask them not to get on with their lives and their plans on their own property (probably massively inconvenient), and it might make relations awkward for all concerned. I'm afraid your family's issues shouldn't be their problem. I feel for you though. Never great having work done nearby, especially when there is no escape.

@FatherTedsBankAccount actually I’d argue that everyone stuck at home together doing different levels of work at different times means they do need to extend during a pandemic!

@FatherTedsBankAccount

This country is full of self-important people who think their WANTS are more important than the actual needs and rights (peace, mental health, etc) of those around them

If you look at it that way, nobody would ever build anything.

If you asked me I would be surprised and do it anyway.. could be dead next year, who knows.

I wouldn't put my life on hold for my neighbours kids. That would be quite strange.

If you want to live somewhere without having to deal with noise, disruption and people living their lives, you need to move to the countryside.

YABU you say yourself that it could be months before your DS gets a flat. They've got to do what they need to do.