To have given my neighbour short shrift on the phone after I allowed access under false pretences

[TooManywines]

Neighbour is almost at the end of a first storey extension.
i never opposed any of the plans and as she was extending to the end of her garden I figured that it would give my small garden a litttle bit more privacy. I can see having reviewed the plans her builder has built out 1400 more than was on the plans.

she messaged me to ask if her builder could come into my garden as he needed to make a small hole - there are three brick vents n the new bit so I summised he must’ve been adding to it.

my DD text me at mid day to let me know we had a window facing directly into my garden - I check on my CCTV and she was right.

i phoned the neighbour aghast and asked her what the hell she was playing at and that the window was definitely not on the PP application-her response
‘we needed more light’ 😩

I told her under no uncertain terms that her builder was to vacate my property and to stop work

AIBU to ask them to brick up the window and return it back to how it was - I’m tempted to call the planning enforcement officer so they can see all the other gaffs they’ve made but panicking that she might get asked to tear it all down - which although I’m really cross about I’d not want that to happen.

This. Every second of delay aids the CF.

Planning Dept. Now.

My elderly friend had a neighbour who suggested that they build a new boundary fence "together." She paid for the wood. He built it. Instead of the 6ft fence agreed, he built it 9ft above the level of her garden, on top of decking so that her light was blocked and the neighbours were looking into her garden. (It was also badly constructed.)

She tried speaking to him. He was - at best - patronising. Also began to bully her over the joint drive to their garages.

She took photos and sent them to Building Services/Planning. He had to take down the fence and decking. In the end, my friend paid someone else to build a 6ft fence for her.

He retaliated by reporting her to the police over the driveway. That backfired. The police pointed out that he was in the wrong - he was using his rather large camper to block my friend's access to her garage. (I can't imagine how he thought that he was going to win that one, other than the fact that he worked for emergency services.)

You can't be nice to CFs.

This is nuts. Your planning department should be all over this. Let them know and then sit back and enjoy the fireworks.

Petty and ridiculous? Get over yourself! Why do you think planning permission exists at all if not to protect people from invasion of privacy and / or shoddy workmanship.

johnd2 · Today 09:19

Generally adding windows would be permitted development (unless there's a specific restriction) so it would be unlikely to be a planning issue.

This is wrong - adding a window which overlooks someone is definitely a planning issue. Why do you think so many extensions do not have windows on the side returns.

Forget the basketball hoop for now, phone the planning department immediately and register a complaint.

Just seen your update @TooManywines - good on you for starting the process. Don't budge and make sure you follow through, that window needs to disappear and the 1400mm looked into ASAP.

Yep I’d be contacting planning as you have done so already. I have a neighbour slightly to the back of my garden, one day she approached my husband and TOLD him she needed our fence taken down and moved further into our garden because she required more space for her extension! Bloody cheek of it. She got quite pushy about so I got straight onto planning who gave her a visit and discovered she didn’t even have planning permission so she had to stop all building. Never heard another peep out of her about my fence.

There will be a huge impact on your visual or residential amenity, and the peaceful enjoyment of your own property. All privacy will be gone. To open it, they have to encroach on your property too. I hope the guttering isn’t overhanging your property also.

Is your son an adult? If so, he needs to tell the builder on your behalf to leave. Or get him to put you on speakerphone and YOU tell the builder to leave (yes I know you're at work but I'm hoping this much is possible).

I thought OP meant that the builder was inside the extension with the window open (i.e. on neighbour's property)?

Someone should shut the window

If the basketball hoop doesn't work, my grandparents old neighbours had half a fence panel suspended mid-air on like 9m tall fence posts to block their neighbours new extension first floor window opening onto their land, it was brilliantly petty. But not as petty as a good planning officer. Good luck.

I think I’d be tempted to fix a piece of mdf over the window until the window is bricked up.

Shit neighbours and rubbish builder. Good idea on the hoop while you wait for the planning.

Looks like (from your diagram) they could have had a velux if they wanted more light.

As the extension goes right up to the boundary you won't be able to drill or screw things onto their wall, but you would be able to stick things to it with, say, contact adhesive. A sheet of OSB just larger than the size of the window opening would do the trick 😉

If the window is open, stand under it and chuck a ball up. If it gets battered then oh well, it’s opened onto your land and you can throw stuff up 🤷‍♀️

My Dad had something similar happen and it impacted his insurance as the property was also his business. When he brought it up with the neighbour he said that he needed the light and then said 'let's not fall out about this old chap' or similar.

So about a month later my Dad had a brick wall built on his land up over the window

When the neighbour came round frothing he said 'let's not fall out about this old chap'

The wall remained

Glad you have reported this.
It is so obviously trespass and without planning, it will be a huge red flag to anyone that would view your home to buy.

People do not allow bullshit like this to fly.
She is so dishonest in lying to gain entry to your property.
It would absolutely set me off on the nuclear option.
I would be telling that builder that he is 100% involved in your deception and you will pursue him.

They can't tell the builder to leave their neighbour's property!

The window is wide open, so it's trespass.

The window is trespassing, but the builder who is inside the neighbours house is not trespassing on the OP’s garden. They cannot tell the builder to leave their neighbours home… obviously.

Contact your planning enforcement officer. Your neighbours are taking liberties and theyve abused your kindness.

I've had it happen to me twice. Neanderthal neighbour in old house built a MASSIVE concrete/breezeblock elevated patio for us to look out on. Nothing like on plans. When challenged, he got nasty. Took a while to sell that house.

Current house, next door built big side extension, as most of the road has. We checked the plans, but knew it was likely not to affect us (the other side). Once it was signed off, they built a massive wide full width balcony, effectively first floor as houses built into side of hill, while we were on holiday. Came home to hear voices outside our dining room. Opened window and there was neighbour and builder. I could reach out and shake their hands. We were SO shocked. It was so sneaky. Patio doors at either end so kids would be running up and down, trikes, etc. Sitting out, they'd be peering down into our garden.

We got the planners next day. It all had to come down. We never spoke to each other again. Honestly, I think they thought we were awful people. They didn't get it.

You should not need to plant a bush or accept frosted glass, if they are building something that wasn't on the granted planning permission then call the planning office and they will deal with it. They would not have allowed them to build on their whole garden or put a window into your garden. I hope they have to take it down!!!

👆🏻 this although the council should be inspecting works at each stage anyway!