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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

CF Neighbours plans

472 replies

Arewe29 · 14/09/2024 13:54

I need to rant!

Got a letter from the council to say that my neighbours are building an extension, went around to ask for a full copy of the plans, as where we live (hill) will cause issues to our house. They said that they did not have any and that they did not know planning was even sought, bullshit!

I went online and yep there plans show that they are trying to build on our bloody land. Fuck me they must think I am stupid.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 20/02/2025 10:32

Perhaps they think if it's underground you won't notice?

JacquesHarlow · 20/02/2025 10:42

Arewe29 · 20/02/2025 09:37

You could make this up…….

I have been through all the plans including the new plans that have been submitted, and the plans for the ground floor have been changed and are not building in my garden but the plans for the lower ground floor still show that they are going to build in my garden, honestly what is their architect playing at they can’t even get their drawings right.

I really appreciate your candour @Arewe29 I'm learning a lot from this thread.

Do you think the CFC neighbours are being wrongly advised by an architect, who is claiming they can get "retrospective planning permissions" etc?

I can't see how someone would continue to persist with this approach in the face of all that is reasonable and what is on the deeds?

Seeline · 20/02/2025 11:21

Honestly I deal with 'architects' plans on a daily basis. The chances of all the plans agreeing with each other are virtually zero - even for basic residential extensions.
Standards have dropped massively now everything is done via computer. In the old days of hand-drawn plans, if something was changed, they went through and changed it on all relevant drawings. I would have thought it much easier with CAD etc - surely all the drawings can be linked together?
I assume because it can all be done by computer, less experienced/non-qualified people are putting the plans together rather than the actual architect named on the drawings.
I would be totally embarrassed to put my name to some of the stuff that is sent out.

Arewe29 · 20/02/2025 12:55

Seeline · 20/02/2025 11:21

Honestly I deal with 'architects' plans on a daily basis. The chances of all the plans agreeing with each other are virtually zero - even for basic residential extensions.
Standards have dropped massively now everything is done via computer. In the old days of hand-drawn plans, if something was changed, they went through and changed it on all relevant drawings. I would have thought it much easier with CAD etc - surely all the drawings can be linked together?
I assume because it can all be done by computer, less experienced/non-qualified people are putting the plans together rather than the actual architect named on the drawings.
I would be totally embarrassed to put my name to some of the stuff that is sent out.

Its Laughable the architect has redone some plans and then left the lower ground floor with the same plans so I wonder if I don’t point it out they will have to build a wall in my garden and then build part of the wall in their garden, not sure if we can call that a design feature.

I am hoping that it goes to committee and I can say is the architect and client happy with all the plans and understand that they have to build to all the plans and then do a drop the mic moment…… I know I am being really petty but honestly that how I feel.

OP posts:
Spenditlikebeckham · 20/02/2025 13:13

Or maybe the new plans aren't for real and they intend to keep to the original ones.. Hoping you haven't noticed past page 1...

KeziaOAP · 20/02/2025 13:22

Building lower ground floor on your land wouldn't that affect tree roots?

ClematisBlue49 · 20/02/2025 15:05

If the worst happens and it gets approved... If the foundations extend beyond the boundary (or even if they are relatively close to it) then they need to issue a Party Wall Agreement. At that point, assuming you don't consent (and why would you?), they have to pay for a surveyor to act for you. This doesn't necessarily mean that it won't get built, but you'd have a professional there to ensure no structural damage. Not having a PWA when one is needed could be a reason to stop the works. Suggest having a look on the RICS website.

Arewe29 · 21/02/2025 08:16

ClematisBlue49 · 20/02/2025 15:05

If the worst happens and it gets approved... If the foundations extend beyond the boundary (or even if they are relatively close to it) then they need to issue a Party Wall Agreement. At that point, assuming you don't consent (and why would you?), they have to pay for a surveyor to act for you. This doesn't necessarily mean that it won't get built, but you'd have a professional there to ensure no structural damage. Not having a PWA when one is needed could be a reason to stop the works. Suggest having a look on the RICS website.

We have already got a Party Wall Surveyor onboard, they have already written to my neighbours and informed them of their legal obligations. The footings will need to be placed in my garden, they need permission for that as well, or prove to my party wall surveyor that this needs to be done and is the only way their build can be done.

OP posts:
Arewe29 · 21/02/2025 08:17

KeziaOAP · 20/02/2025 13:22

Building lower ground floor on your land wouldn't that affect tree roots?

They don’t care about the beautiful trees, nor the wildlife. This is the level of intelligence I am dealing with.

OP posts:
Feckedupbundle · 21/02/2025 08:33

Arewe29 · 19/02/2025 09:55

I have put another objection into the council, they must be bored of me now! I am bored of having to put in another objection.

This time I have not objected to the fact that they are trying to build in my garden, but the fact that they will over look my property and garden.

I will see what neighbours call me this time.

Oooh,overlooking can be a big no no,so good move. We had pp refused for our house when the planning officer said that we could potentially overlook my sister's driveway and utility room window! ( We built houses next to each other at the same time). Technically, overlooking only counts for 'liveable' rooms,like bedrooms,living rooms ect,but some officers take it more seriously than others,like ours did.

MathsMagpie · 21/02/2025 09:01

Absolute arseholes

Trumptonagain · 21/02/2025 09:12

Technically, overlooking only counts for 'liveable' rooms,like bedrooms,

We had a neighbour put in PP for a semi detached house build, previously a bungalow next to our bungalow, both bedrooms to the side and kitchen were looked into, plus both front and back gardens. Council passed it despite our concerns about losing privacy especially from my DC bedroom.

Said we should be pleased as more housing was needed.

Pictures50 · 21/02/2025 18:47

I think OP is so wise to be all over this.
I have heard of too many retentions being sought and granted by CF's.
You would like to think Planning authorities would follow their own rules.
Sadly they don't.

Arewe29 · 25/02/2025 08:44

Pictures50 · 21/02/2025 18:47

I think OP is so wise to be all over this.
I have heard of too many retentions being sought and granted by CF's.
You would like to think Planning authorities would follow their own rules.
Sadly they don't.

I am all over this because of the actions of my neighbours. I have said all along if they had contacted us before the planning application went in said what they wanted to do WE may have been more accommodating, but they denied that they were building in our garden, and then said it was joint land!

When I said about the party wall agreement they said that they would not be paying for any of it, which we all know they have to.

I now do not want them overlooking my garden with their raised patio and raised bloody kitchen.

They are CCFC and they have no idea that it’s now being called in by the local councillor.

OP posts:
Anonanonandon · 25/02/2025 09:06

If your local councillor does manage to get the application called in, make sure that you, and the neighbour on the other side, attend the meeting with preprepared succinct statements. Your local councillor should be able to advise you on which material ground you can object on, along with all the shenanigans re party wall etc. Good Luck.

Pictures50 · 25/02/2025 09:13

OP, I can only imagine how stressful this is for you, but all you can do continue on being so vigilant.

My friend bought a house 18 years ago from a probate sale. It went through and they went on a holiday, two weeks before they moved in. They came back to find the CF's at the back of their house had taken down their boundary hedge, built a wall and a put up a shed, taking 15 feet from their long garden.

They were so upset but because of a very ill parent couldn't face it.
They sent a solicitors letter with deeds showing everything but they were ignored.

6 years later the sign goes up that the CF's are selling and sale agreed.
My friend who has held the grudge, contacts her house insurance company and tells them the story.

She contacts the EA to tell them that the sale will be delayed.

Long story short the neighbours turn up all outraged at them being "unreasonable".

She tells them politely to go fxxk themselves.
The shed comes down or they pay through the nose for buying the land they illegally built on.

She was not prepared to be reasonable.
Their solicitor told them the quickest way to resolve this was to knock the wall, move the shed and put up fencing, restoring the old boundary.

It cost them serious money and stress when they were trying to move.

These CF's think they are so cute with their land grabs, but if they try to sell, when searches are done, things can be made very difficult for them.

Arewe29 · 25/02/2025 09:31

Pictures50 · 25/02/2025 09:13

OP, I can only imagine how stressful this is for you, but all you can do continue on being so vigilant.

My friend bought a house 18 years ago from a probate sale. It went through and they went on a holiday, two weeks before they moved in. They came back to find the CF's at the back of their house had taken down their boundary hedge, built a wall and a put up a shed, taking 15 feet from their long garden.

They were so upset but because of a very ill parent couldn't face it.
They sent a solicitors letter with deeds showing everything but they were ignored.

6 years later the sign goes up that the CF's are selling and sale agreed.
My friend who has held the grudge, contacts her house insurance company and tells them the story.

She contacts the EA to tell them that the sale will be delayed.

Long story short the neighbours turn up all outraged at them being "unreasonable".

She tells them politely to go fxxk themselves.
The shed comes down or they pay through the nose for buying the land they illegally built on.

She was not prepared to be reasonable.
Their solicitor told them the quickest way to resolve this was to knock the wall, move the shed and put up fencing, restoring the old boundary.

It cost them serious money and stress when they were trying to move.

These CF's think they are so cute with their land grabs, but if they try to sell, when searches are done, things can be made very difficult for them.

I would also hold a grudge that long.

I have looked at the plans yet again and they will be looking straight into my garden because of the hill and how high their fence will be due to planning laws.

I will be happy if their new extension does not have their windows and doors on the side of their extension and do not raise their patio.

OP posts:
Thatwasthenthisisbetter · 25/02/2025 11:23

The neighbour behind Dsis house applied for bifold doors onto a huge raised terrace which, because of the hill, would have looked straight into her dc bedrooms, all her garden and kitchen. It would have overlooked the neighbours each side of it too. The neighbour wasn’t interested in compromising.

Dsis knew a surveyor who helped all the neighbours write their objections and the terrace wasn’t allowed due to invading privacy.

Dsis immediately had a row of cherry trees put in along her boundary for privacy in case they tried anything else, meaning the neighbours in question lost their view.

Seeline · 25/02/2025 11:37

Arewe29 · 25/02/2025 09:31

I would also hold a grudge that long.

I have looked at the plans yet again and they will be looking straight into my garden because of the hill and how high their fence will be due to planning laws.

I will be happy if their new extension does not have their windows and doors on the side of their extension and do not raise their patio.

You can ask the Planning Officer to come and view the site from your property. They don't have to, but it's worth a try.
Also ask the Councillor to come and have a look so he knows what he is talking about at the Committee meeting.
It would also be worth taking lots of photos showing the relationship between the two properties including changes in levels if possible and then sending those in as part of your objection. Make it clear that you would have no objection if..... and say what you would be happy with.

Pictures50 · 25/02/2025 13:37

OP, making a video of the area and what they are trying to do would be useful for any meeting.

Arewe29 · 25/02/2025 14:29

Pictures50 · 25/02/2025 13:37

OP, making a video of the area and what they are trying to do would be useful for any meeting.

I have taken lots of photo and scaled them. I will take a video as well.

OP posts:
Whatsappweirdo · 04/04/2026 00:06

Thought of this thread today @Arewe29 - I hope sanity prevailed in the end?!

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