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.

Oh no 😯 what a cheeky mare

Rooster is always the safer word imho , although I absolutely adored your description 😂 🐓

Give her until midday tomorrow to remove the window or you’ll contact planning. If it isn’t removed follow through and also tell them it’s bigger than plans.

I’d also stick up a 6 foot fence in front of it with a trellis as soon as you can.

I agree. Calmly explain your position and if you have to call Planning and she gets pissed off, say 'If you are upset, your decisions and your builder's actions are the cause of that. I have not been the aggressor in this matter and I am only defending my rights.'

No way id let that slide. She's been an epo. CF. Tell her the window comes out and bricked back up or you will put a massive fence at her window

I think you should tell her to brick it up and then tell the planning department about it and the extra 1400 onto your property. Otherwise it will be a case of give an inch and she'll take a mile, sadly, because you are so accommodating.

We had exactly this with a house being built at the end of our garden- they didn't have a window on the plans- the council made them brick it up when i reported.

Don't accept anything else than bricked up.

You need to call the planning enforcement officer in any case - they’re there for a reason. She not only needs to block up the window looking into your property, but also to abide by the terms of the planning permission. Better to get it sorted now than wish you had done later.

Yes it does

also it’s really high not and single story level -slightly higher as it’s a pitched roof not a flat roof

How does she managed to stand up straight under the weight of that brass neck?!

Good idea for the OP though if nothing ultimately gets done about it, put up a concrete fence (cant think of the name but they are those big concrete panels that you slot into concrete uprights so almost impossible to damage) just her side of her boundary. Who is the neighbour going to complain to?!

I can’t believe some people have voted that you’re being unreasonable 😅

OP I would tell them to immediately rectify this and it should cost you nothing. It’s all very well and good that you could put up a fence or a wall yourself etc, but that would leave you out of pocket and this is their doing.

ACtually the extra sq footage could work in your favour.

"Brick up the window or planning will get told about actual size of the extension....."

If all else fails - this:

Are you saying that apart from the window they've also added another unauthorised 1400mm(?) to the footprint of the extension?

I'd report all the breaches of planning permission to the local authority.

One of our neighbours (not next-door) got PP to pull down a decrepit wooden garden shed/garage and to replace with a much larger wooden garage.

Their builder's exceeded what was granted on the PP and built it too close to the highway. People (not us) complained, and despite the neighbours trying to get retrospective PP they were ordered to knock it back two metres.

Cost them about £10k as their builders had gone bust in the mean time and they had nobody to sue...

sorry but you need to stop worrying about what will happen to her as she clearly does not care about your enjoyment of your home or your house value

Nice fence or bush should help your privacy or speak to Council

This!

@PyongyangKipperbang You mean those gravel boards that you slot in-between the concrete posts? Good idea.

I wouldn't faff about with this OP, just tell her straight to lose the window or you'll report ALL of the infringements to planning (and then put the ugly concrete fence up). The neighbour clearly doesn't give a damn about you.
Does any guttering on the extension overhang your boundary by any chance OP? It shouldn't.

This. If it's torn down, it's not the OP's problem.

I'm a local councillor. This is definitely not allowed. I would call the planning enforcement team.

I would involve the councillors and I would also be on the look out for a retrospective planning application to allow the window. If it comes,object straight away.

I probably should’ve added this with the first post

sorry for the shit diagram

I cannot plant a bush as the window is too high
they can see into my kitchen and my bedroom and the whole of my garden

This. Just go straight to planning. He’s built bigger than plans too? They’re going to love him!

Absolutely report and do not let it go.
She is a dishonest liar.
Report every bit it and pursue it aggressively.
A window in that space means your garden and house are fully overlooked.
It is a huge negative for a house.
No way would I let such dishonesty go.

I'd 100% go to planning tomorrow and pointing out every single change they've made in their build without permission.

That’s awful no way can you let that go. How can she think that’s ok ?