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.

Yes. So you can tell him to shut the window. You can't tell him to leave the neighbour's house. 🙄

What, so in response to your clear objections to the window, they have continued fitting and completing the work?

Surely this is not legal

My thoughts, too. Or a nice 6’ high fence with quick growing stinky plants on

I would implore you to act quickly and with meaning. Your neighbour sounds like they don’t plan to remove the opening, so you have no choice but to inform planning enforcement and insist they make a site visit when you’re there. I’d also copy in your local councillors, as nothing makes council staff move quicker than this.

No ultimatum.

Just report pronto sharing all reasons.

I’m appalled at the gall of your neighbour. Please keep us updated.

Ring the planning officer, and tell her/he everything that is wrong, ot just the window. If you don't you will regret it.

Contact planning enforcement. We changed our huge, high patio windows to doors which didn’t effect a single neighbour but the nosey so and so’s reported us and Enforcement were straight over….. to be fair the Officer said it was ridiculous BUT we were made to change the plans with the council for £300 approx so that’s why our jealous neighbours did it. So just to say that Enforcement will be over as they’ll make money and tbh in your situation it’s truly CF of the neighbour!

Any update op?

Planing office now
it’s a breach
call email visit them
do it now

I think you should complain to the planning department and let them deal with it. You can't get plans passed by planning and then not follow them.

The OP has already reported it to the planning department.

The planning department should come out quickly.

Someone reported us to the council as we had built a brick wheelie bin enclosure on our drive. It was on the approved extension plans but we moved it slightly.
Council man came round within days to investigate. He had a file with photos and a recorded delivery complaint. The person who reported it had actually come onto our property to take photos.
He said everything was fine but to send in a new drawing. But every complaint they get has to be investigated.

If they come out for that then the planning people will definitely be interested in checking your neighbours extension !

I see you have reported this. Hope you are successful OP. I only wish court injunctions were not so expensive as to be an option.

That’s awful @TooManywines Hope you have some joy with the planning dept. I think @SummerFade must be the CF

The extra 1400 should be of more interest to the Planning Dept. Both are equally out of order. If they get told to demolish that's their fault, not yours.

Phoned council and they said the only option was to fill out a web form to contact planning so I did that and attached photos
it’s been reported

i told the neighbour I was more than disappointed that her builder was there and it had not been remedied so I’d reported it - she said ‘ok- have a great day’ 🙄

The window was already fitted yesterday - hole made in wall and window in - all done in about 2 hours - I had no idea till I saw it - it’s been done SO badly

window was left open so I tilted the sprinkler I dig out of the garage tonight and it should be soaking wet inside. Oh dear

Short shrift?
I'd be giving long baseball bat!

Hopefully you get it sorted 🤞A planning issue near us has just ended up in the Daily Mail 😞.

If you were to report it OP, they wouldn't necessarily have to pull the whole thing down. The council would ask them to submit an amended application for consideration. The council might then grant permission if they allow it. If they refuse, then the neighbour has a right of appeal and approximately 30% of appeals succeed. If the window is at first floor level and looks directly into your garden, an amended application would certainly be dismissed. If the window was placed higher up and they either couldn't see into your garden or was at 2nd floor level, the planners might add a condition to ensure that it is obscure glazed. They could also allow part of an amended application as the window is a severable issue. They could allow the increased extension size, but without the window. So if you were to report them, they wouldn't automatically have enforcement action taken against them, particularly if you didn't object to that element. Conversely, if they played ball and bricked up the window and you didn't report them and no one else did, then in 10 years time they would safe from enforcement action. However, if they planned to sell before them it would be problematic for them. They should really submit an amended application at this point.

I really need to see the updates to this thread. Fully invested now 🪑🍿🥤

I’m glad you’ve reported it op. You’ve set the ball rolling. Have follow up emails if they are not responding timely manner. Use how it will affect you based on planning issues, and lack of permission.

The neighbour sounds horrible. Do not let somebody horrible like that stress you out in any way. You still have the trump card up your sleeve of being able to block out the light, and stop the sneaky window overlooking, or opening out onto the airspace of your property. If it comes to that, which hopefully it won’t.

I'd be tempted to experiment with a full on hose, but you need to retain the moral high ground.

Tell her to brick up the window and move it out of your garden. Ask a planning enforcement officer to help if you get not joy. What a bitch!