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.

I think the OP should mount a huge photo of Boris Johnson and stick it to the back of the basketball board!

Or Chucky the doll staring in at them??

In that thread, the window was part of the original house.

Totally different to a new extension with a window that's not on the planning.

Agree other thread completely different

Yes I agree but I think that was the thread posters remember. FWIW I was shocked most people said to open that window up after the neighbours had paid for it to be closed.

YES!!… get one of those huge scaffold poles and erect right outside her window to make yourself a high washing line… before you block her window so it can’t open stick some of that stick on frosted glass over it though, then block with pole so they can’t even open the window to remove the film….. or go up a offer when the window is open and gorilla glue it closed!!

When this is all sorted out, perhaps I might tell you what I have had to deal with.

I’d be getting a tent-sized pair of tighty whities commissioned - complete with painted on skiddies just for this purpose.

But bigger than these

Call planning. My Grandparents were in exact same situation years ago, planning wouldn't help, so they put a 6ft fence panel on their property line about half an inch from window completely covering it 🤣

Sorry I didn’t read all the responses, this sounds like a nightmare. Can you plant bamboo? I’m so terrible with gardening and plants and I’m not sure what exactly to suggest other than bamboo, but I know it can be an easy and cheap way to give some privacy in a garden.

I just thought of another way to make the planners listen.

Get a local estate agent to come and value your property with and without the window.

I've had them out do valuations when I was not planning to sell and they haven't minded at all and were happy to come out.

Showing a financial detriment, as well as to your day to day living might help your case.

It shouldn't pass inspection if anything has been altered - you could tell her that, as well as obviously it's a bad idea from your point of view.

This is a great idea!

She what??
did they laugh 🫣…?

Need an update 😜

Bamboo is invasive. I planted some. The roots travelled 100 yards. It is next to impossible to get rid of it. I did, six years ago, but last year it crept back and this year it has been dug out again.

Unless you are happy to use strong chemical weed and stump killer, if you want to have bamboo in the garden, grow it in a pot - a large one, and cut off roots that start coming from the bottom.

People. Stop fretting about bamboo, just put it in a planter

House valuations are not a planning matter. It will not be taken into consideration.

No this is explicitly excluded from valid grounds on which to object - in our LA anyway. Objecting on these grounds just makes you look like you haven't engaged with the process properly.

OP needed to read up on the criteria they take into account and then put an objection that is limited to these grounds. I imagine she has already done exactly this.

It looks very heavy to be able to lift and cut the roots to prevent them taking root on the lawn.

Report her,get planning down,how do you know in the future what affect this e tension has on your property,you need to know. Tell her to brick up window ,if she needs light the builder should put a skylight window in.

I have had bamboo in pots for 8years now. It’s easy to mange if looked after. Also there are different types so important to look into the right one. One of my is called pingu and is short and v v cute. Another has black stems and looks stunning against a wall- it would work v well to hide window. Not that I would be letting that window stay.

It's very invasive. ETA I see that others have made this point.

The lack of reading comprehension from many on here is astonishing

Take photos. Report it immediately. Keep it absolutely factual, list each infringement & state clearly the impact it has on your property. Give any measurements you can.

Look into getting some legal advice, ( sometimes you can get a free initial consultation) state that you are doing this, both to your neighbours and the Planning department. Contact your MP.
Keep copies of everything.
But don't delay and keep on complaining.
It's a real hassle but not as bad as living with it and potentially taking a loss on your property valuation.
Good luck.