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.

The disability living extension we had built in 2001 was overseen at every stage by the local authority buildings regulation inspector. We never had to call the builder back to make repairs.

That builder should be checked too.

Anyone who is considering an extension, or anyone living next door to someone building one should talk to the local authority buildings inspector. That is what they are there for. One job I had some time ago was secretary in the buildings department of a Land Agents.

It might add a little to the cost, but worth it.

Could you rig up one of those sail things you see in gardens to provide shade. Right outside the window and angled upwards?

I could be being cynical but could they have covered the inside with plasterboard so that when the building inspector visits he won’t see the window & then when it’s all been signed off as finished they’ll remove it & have their unauthorised window back?!!
Not sure what you can do about this though.
Would definitely be considering ways to mask the windows view into your garden would whitewashing it be wrong?!!🤣

Wouldn't it be better to go through the official route to have the window removed, instead?

And if that's not possible, or takes a long time, the OP's own idea of a basketball hoop is way better because it will completely obscure the light and stop the window from being opened. With the added benefit of any missed shots hitting the wall and hopefully annoying the shit out of them.

I think so too- at best it’s a temporary cover so you shut up about it all while they finish off the building, take it off and have their working window back. I really would chop it off if it gets opened onto your property.

Take photos and send to building control - so that they know the plasterboard is covering a window

That was my thouhgt as well! So it looks like it's been removed from their side!
Be very careful!

Although if they get their "windowless" extension signed off they'll have no grounds to object at you boarding up the outside of the window either.
Any attempt at an objection would result in "what window"?
If your objection fails to get the window bricked up and their foolery works somehow, get some pressure treated board and stick brick slips all over it (flat brick facade pieces) then No More Nails it onto the window frame.
They will not be able to open or look through the window, and it won't look any shitter than it does now.

Probably because of the sprinkler

Does the complaint to planning allow photos?

This sounds promising as long as a pp said and it’s not just to hide it from the planners ‘no window here gov.’

Yes already sent

Closed window would’ve been less
effort

I agree it’s to con the building inspector- bizarre that they wouldn’t check the side but in any case photo of plasterboard window has been taken and sent also.

#CFwindowwatch

But the inspector will only have to look from the OP's house/garden to see that it is a window, no?
And the OP has a pic of the window before it was internally boarded up.

No, but the person they bought the house from had I think. I can't remember how it ended up I'll have to see if I can find it!

I may being stupid, but if the window is boarded up from the inside how can they open and close? Surely that would show that they can remove whatever they’ve put up as and when

Good for you. I don't think you'll get much Xmas spirit from next door this year (or for the next few either[!

They must think that building control's heads zip up the back.

What room is their room with the window?

Is it a bedroom, kitchen...?

This one?
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5129857-can-we-legally-uncover-this-window?reply=137120517

I read that and thought it was really unfair on the poor neighbours

The basketball hoop will work well, but this one made me laugh way too loud!

The window has a sill sicking out onto your land. Can you just cut it off?
If it stays, in the long term you could plant a dense shrub/tree.

I was a councillor on the planning committee, definitely something they will want to know about. I'm glad your councillor was helpful. I'm also autistic and like rules - she didn't submit it on her plans, so she needs it to be looked at

Can't wait to hear the outcome. Planning regs are there for a reason.