To block some light to neighbour?

[Donotshushme]

I bought my house about 10 years ago and the next door neighbour has previously built a conservatory with windows facing directly into our garden, with some of that film stuff that you put inside it to obscure it. You can still see the shape of people through it. The conservatory was built right on the exact boundary line, so parts of it, like the windows, actually protrude onto our property. It appears they've actually amended the fence line to do it but again this was before we moved in.

Obviously we bought the house knowing this, but it does feel like we are lacking privacy. If they see us come into the garden they'll sometimes risk up to the end where the fences are lower to complain about us/other neighbors. The conservatory is about 3 metres long. The wall that's on our side looks ugly and intrusive with really chunky white plastic. The other side and front of their conservatory is also glazed so they have light coming from other sources. The neighbours have said no to doing anything to the side that faces into our garden. They're not the sort that keep themselves to themselves either - they're always on the lookout for what everyone else is up to so they can complain about it. Now we are having our entire garden landscaped and it's going to look amazing - apart from the conservatory. I want to screen it (on my property) in some way, haven't decided yet, but it will ruffle feathers either way as it's possible it will block out some light.

WIBU to go ahead and put up some sort of screening so i don't have to look at their conservatory?

If so what can i use to screen it?

If you ned to go more than 2m (the max fence height allowed under permitted development) then pleached trees are the next option. 1 evergreen is allowed. If you need more than 1 then a row of Hornbeam are exempt from the high hedges rule and hold some leaves over winter.

I have this with a neighbour - although actually a meter back from the boundary the bright kitchen lights light up our whole garden. When he submitted permitted development plans I said I didn't like the side windows. he made them bigger!

But are you prepared to fall out with your neighbour?

I thought that film meant you couldn't see in but they can see out so are able to watch you.

I agree with checking planning and even if it was permitted development they shouldn't have encroached over the boundary. You can put a fence up on your land, as they shouldn't have windows overlooking your land, even if they do have film on because, as above, I think you can see out of it.

They've clearly built something without planning permission or conforming to the party wall act. Just put up what you want and tell them if they have an issue you're more than happy to discuss with the council or party wall surveyor to determine a way forward. If they have any sense they'll back off at that point.

Fence of screen up.

whatever you do DO NOT plant bamboo.

@NobblyBob have you spoken to the planning dept? Someone really shouldn’t have a window that opens over a neighbours land if it’s a recent installation.

@Donotshushme no matter what you do I imagine there will be fallout, so you may as well check their planning before you put a fence up.

We’ve screened with bamboo in massive planters. It’s about 8 feet tall and looks great from either side of the fence, which is kind of see through. Our neighbours love it as it puts more green in their garden, but it’s not in front of any windows.

Have you seen the film from their side? Normally it works one way but not the other.

Anyway I would do your research so you can quote chapter and verse of the regs before you talk to them. In our experience local planning dept are very helpful if you ring them. I can't think they could possibly have a leg to stand on in preventing you putting a 6ft fence up on your own property, but make sure you know the detail of the law and in particular which side of the fence the 6ft needs to be measured from.

This

Trellis with bamboo and honeysuckle - will look and smell lovely!

then maybe some obelisks with climbing roses, interspersed with lavender bushes.

should encourage bees too.

Bamboo in big planters is fine, or miscanthus (elephant grass).

Given it has been there 10 years there is no point taking to the planning department. Enforcement action must be taken within 4 years in relation to the erection of buildings and within 10 years in relation to changes of use and breaches of conditions. There is no time limit for the enforcement of breaches of listed building legislation. from: https://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/planning/planning-enforcement-faq/5

Go for the screening / fence.
Fence rules might be different if you are in a conservation area or listed: https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/detached-house/outside/fences-gates-and-garden-walls

High hedge rules here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-hedges-complaining-to-the-council/high-hedges-complaining-to-the-council

If their windows has been there 20 years it might have acquired a right to light. So check for that as a possibility. if getting close to 20 years then blocking sooner than later would protect your position.

If they have had a conservatory in that position for 20 years or more they have a legal right of light and you infringe that right you will be at risk of an injunction or damages.

If the conservatory has not been there for more than 20 years then UUID's can crack on.

WTF!!! That should say 'you can crack on'!

Nobody has a legal right to light.

Don't know the legalities, but if they wanted to lodge a complaint with the council I'd happily fight it.

I'd check whether the structure was legal or not. If you can get it moved/removed I'd do that, if not I'd put up a huge fence the length of the boundary.

@HarrietJet you are complete wrong. An easement of light is acquired by prescription after 20 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Righttoo_light

HTH

This. Put up a nice big shed and then fencing the rest of the boundary line.

They probably can see into your garden op. The film is for their privacy, not yours.

If a six foot fence will sort the privacy issue, I’d go with that. If you need 2 metres, plant a hedge.

Perhaps your neighbours were friends with the previous owners of your house so no objections were made about the encroaching conservatory. Or maybe previous owners just didn’t want to confront them about it- it can be hard to object sometimes 🤷‍♀️

Have you told them that you are uncomfortable with the feeling of a lack of privacy? If possible, try to keep them on board with your plans as things can get very awkward (and unbelievably stressful) very quickly when neighbours fall out.

I would hate this set up and wouldn’t have bought the house. Still, you would be within your rights to put up a fence / screen even if the neighbours don’t like it.

What's your budget?

I'd plant some hedging (not bamboo!) or some pleached trees.

Trellis idea is a nice one. Please do not plant bamboo though!!

When we built an extension at our old house, our neighbour had a conservatory up to the boundary where we planned on building. They objected to our plans, saying it would take light away from their conservatory, and were told by the Planning Dept. that a conservatory is not a part of a property intended to be 'lived' in, and so they had no right to light, and the plans were approved.

Have to say I'm surprised that you chose to buy the place though, as you obviously knew the conservatory was there. Trouble is, it's so easy to get carried away by a 'nice' house, or a house that is in an area that you're really keen to live in, but it's really very expensive to move house, so I guess we need to remind ourselves when moving, that if you buy in haste, you repent at leisure!

Do not put in bamboo unless you are putting it in planters. It can become incredibly problematic if left to do its own thing in the ground.

Get a buddleia, they are well known to just self seed(!). I've one in my back that has just appeared from nowhere, it cuts off a huge part of the garden from prying eyes. And you get lots of butterflies to it, so a bonus!