Objecting to neighbours PP without ill feeling?

[Pebbledash23]

Can it be done?
NDN seem really nice, moved in just before Christmas. Told us they'd put in for an extension which we presumed would be single storey. Turns out it's two storey and I believe it will impact the light into our lounge. I've already expressed my concerns in the nicest possible way and they insisted due to angles it won't impact our light (I can't see how this is possible).
We're now at the stage of neighbour consultation. Ive been told that several other neighbours on the street will object as it's quite an imposing design and the two houses opposite NDN aren't happy. There's no other houses on our estate like ours that have been granted a double front extension. (Plenty have had single storey extensions which we would be absolutely fine with).
I'm planning to nip round for a chat and just to let them know that we will probably have to object based on my concerns but that it isn't personal. I would like to keep on good terms and feel it would be a bit sly putting in an objection without talking things through first considering we're on reasonably friendly terms.
Has anyone out there objected to a neighbours plans without things getting nasty? I really cba with neighbour dramas!

Definitely look at what grounds you have to appeal. It may be that they can’t build within x meters of you window to window or something like that. Appealing on grounds of light may not be a reasonable objection so you need to make sure you word it correctly or you are souring your relationship for something you can’t win.

Following with interest as we had similar and when we expressed our concerns were met with very irrational behaviour for NN.

I have heard on here before that light isn’t grounds. Privacy may be though.

It’s worth checking.

Actually I’ve googled a bit now. There this guide which seems helpful.
awh.co.uk/2020/02/21/true-or-false-rights-to-light-misconceptions/

Our neighbour objected to our extension on the back said it would take their light. We apologised and said we would move it to the front as it was a side extension for a bedroom and could be either. However at the front we would need scaffold on their drive but only a small amount and for 8 weeks we had initially gone for the back as this wasnt needed and we thought that was the better option. They said no to anything just to be difficult and so it went ahead at the back no grounds for objection. They have since built their own bigger and further out extension!! Some people are just dicks and will never be god neighbours. You sound nice but it does sound a bit like your all ganging up. I would ask the planning officer to visit you and tell him your concerns and ask his professional opinion on how it will affect the light into your house.

Objections are not confidential your letter /email will be published on the councils website.

IME anyone submitting a planning application thinks any objections are unfounded. Many people think it's wrong to need permission to change their property. Doesn't mean they are right.

I would look to submit an objection. Consultation is aimed at allowing people to comment. It needs to be a valid objection to make a difference. Check out the local plan. See what is and isn't granted permission.

I would have thought a front 2 story extension is harder to get through planning than one to the rear.

Yes they may not like it if you complain. But are their feelings more important than yours? If several neighbours object and they go ahead regardless, it would say a lot more about them.

Id ask for a daylight/sunlight assessment - they are common in planning.

It will probably result in a fall out.

We're currently in the process of applying for planning permission. We consulted regularly with our neighbours prior to applying and they have lodged an objection.

When we spoke to the council, they said our original plans are unlikely to be allowed (although not at all due to the neighbour's objection) so we have amended accordingly. However, they also told us that neighbour objection bore almost no weight as you can only ever build what the local planning rules allow (our first application didn't comply but amendment does) and neighbours just not liking it have no impact.

@memberofthewedding objections have to be named on publishing to the planning site. Good job too because we had 3 objections 2 of which were the same person.... Same address but one was in her married name the other in her Maiden name!! Called her right out on that one and planning officer actually mentioned it in our decision letter.

OP, are front extensions common in your area? In my area you can only go from the side and no further forward than original walls or to the rear.

Have a look on your local planning page for the policy, although you have no right to light (which I think is bollocks) you can still mention it in the objection. Is it going to take up more than 50% of the garden? Are you going to suffer privacy issues?

It is hard to believe that deprivation of privacy is greater than light.

Having the sun blocked permanently must be dreadful.

If you are on the wrong side and your neighbours on the west side build some double height monstrosity to the back of their house, you can have your sunny back garden destroyed closest to your house.

An absolute disaster.

A bright sunny day transforms a garden and home.

Being in permanent shade really affects the feel of a room IMO.

It is a very reasonable reason to object.
Once you establish exactly how far the extension will stick out you can be honest about your objection.

Their desire to extend their new home is not more important than your continued enjoyment of your home.

Front extensions are never seen where I live (exception being if the house does not front the road) - the council has published guidance on it. The only thing I'v seen done out the front is a porch added. Have you looked on your councils website to see what guidance they have? Does your neighbours property face the road?

@CombatBarbie, objections on our council's website are redacted so names and addresses aren't visible on the public website. I had assumed this was the case everywhere....

Thanks everyone. I am definitely going to get a light assessment. Hopefully it will come back that it won’t impact much. Some really interesting comments and my worry is I object and it doesn’t really hold any weight but the PP is refused anyway and I’ve affected neighbourly relations or it goes ahead which means my objection didn’t hold any weight but may have caused issues.

@tootiredtospeak definitely not ganging up. The neighbours that have issues are objecting over things I don’t even think are legit like disruption. I genuinely would rather not object as I’m not into drama of any kind.

@CombatBarbie so on our estate there’s a lot of houses the same as ours and whilst many have had single story front extensions none have got a double storey front extension. So in one way I’m wondering whether to just keep schtum as it might be refused anyway otherwise it will set a precedent in the local area.

@memberofthewedding I’m not bothered about being anonymous I’d rather just speak directly to them and let them know our thoughts/worries in a nice way so that’s not an issue really.

Thanks @4PawsGood I’ll take a look at that now!

Objected to my neighbours extension where I used to live as was over the height limit and would block out light. They never spoke to me again. If it affected my property would do the same again though. Your objections will be on the council website alongside their application so will be public knowledge anyway. Your approach sounds good but be prepared for some defensiveness!

OP,
Remember that for most people their home is their largest asset.

Why wouldn't you protect that?

Why should they be allowed to increase the value of their asset, to the detriment of yours, without objection.

You can always smile very sweetly and say "it's certainly nothing personal, just protecting OUR home, I'm sure you can understand that".

They have just moved in, you owe them nothing but courtesy.

If they get arsey because you won't allow them to block your light, .....tough.

Loosing the light in your home IS detrimental to your asset.

Loss of light is a material planning consideration - there’s various tests that the planning officer assessing the application must apply to certain windows of neighbouring properties.

Your council should have a Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) document concerning householder extensions. Most likely available on their website. Take a look through that and see how it applies to the proposed extension.

The whole point of neighbour consultation is for the neighbours to put their views forward. Many times majority of objections are not valid planning concerns and these are quickly disregarded. Light (and privacy) are considerations and are addressed in policies in the SPGs and the planning officer must ensure the proposal is in accordance with policies.

As long as you keep your letter of objection to valid planning issues (with no personal attacks on the applicant - I’ve seen plenty of those!!) then any reasonable neighbour can’t be too annoyed. As they’ve had the courtesy to notify you beforehand of their plans, you could say something along the lines of “thank you for letting us know of your extension plans. We do have concerns about its impact on light to our property and have asked that the planning officer assesses this to hopefully put our mind at ease.”

If there’s a particular part of your property that you feel may well be negatively affected then I think it is worth bringing this to the attention of the officer so they will be sure to assess it. If you frame any comments to neighbour/planning officer as “concerns” rather than a full on objection it may be taken more kindly?

We opposed our neighbour's PP when she applied for change of use for outbuildings (can't be more specific as it would be too identifying). Almost every house in the vicinity wrote in opposition and permission was refused. It was all quite tense at the time and she avoids contact with us all now. I'm quite sorry about this as we always got on fine with her before but it had to be done.

Planners have a strict set of criteria to follow and will decide whether the proposed development meets them or not, Consultations are just to make the neighbours feel better.

Not sure exactly as local laws may be different but planning here is based partially on precedence.
If you don’t object (provided you have grounds to do so) and the two story is built, it may allow others to do the same.
Worth checking out with your local planning team.

@Pebbledash23 for what it’s worth, you sound really considerate and reasonable. We were obviously on the wrong side of objections from neighbours, but it hasn’t coloured our view so much that we can’t see that reasonable and valid neighbour objections of course need to be taken into account in decision-making.