To deny neighbour access to render extension?

[Amberlynnswashcloth]

Semi detached neighbours are building extension within millimeters of the shared fence allowing no access from their own property for maintenance. Predictibly, they now want access to my garden to render the outside and to do this they would need to remove the fence and everything near the fence like my seating area, storage box, potted plants etc. I don't want to agree to this. There's the inconvenience of not being able to use our garden, DCs wont be able to play outside and I'd have to keep the dog in. My main issue is that the layout of the houses means the wall is literally right outside my kitchen/livingroom window which feels really close and intrusive and when people are working on it they are literally looking right at me sitting in my house. I don't want workman coming any closer into our space - we are trying to enjoy the nice weather and it's been quite disruptive as it is.

Anyone had experience with this? Its really stressing me out as I don't like to be deliberately obstructive but I strongly don't want to agree to this and feel it's not my problem to solve. I accept that refusal might mean forever looking at an ugly wall but I plan to grow something climbing to mask it.

They are waiting for an answer.

AIBU to say 'no'?

Edited to add that they don't want access right now - just at some point.

What a dick you would be then 🙄

Please make sure that if you let them go ahead with the work,

1. you get some timeline, with penalty if they go over, as I've had workmen not turn up and so a 2week job had turned into 2 months.
2. Get a radio and noise ban - yes workman can work without the radio blarring and they dont need to shout and swear
3. tidy up site every day when finished for the day and put the items in next door's garden?
4. detail hours of work and days needed to complete the job.

There may be other things but for your well being the above might sound silly but is important. That is if you go ahead, why did they not leave an access? You can write that!

Keep in mind that once you allow them to render the wall, you are granting them permanent access to maintain it, similar to a free easement. This alone is why I would never allow it. It is not about being petty; it is about the future consequences.

In the future, you will repeatedly have to deal with fences being removed and plants potentially being ruined. This is not a one-off headache. Given how they and their builders have already behaved, I would firmly say no.

As for the comments about looking at an ugly wall? Most of it is already covered by the OP's fence, and the top portion can easily be screened off with plants if necessary.

Not true according to this

resi.co.uk/advice/house-extensions/extension-neighbour-boundary-rules#:~:text=Quick%20summary,neighbours%20two%20months%20in%20advance.

there is a right to light but it has to be VERY extreme to fall in this category and take 50% of light
think a 6ft wall parallel with your window inches away

Permitted development has restricted eaves height of 2.5m this close to the boundary a fence can be 2 metres so you are talking
a 50cm strip a a few metres long at a right angle to a window isn’t going to plunge anyone into darkness
a rendered wall can actually reflect light whilst an unfinished block wall will absorb light

this extension hasn’t robbed OPof any great amount of light

it’s just a case of being pissed of they’ve built it which is quite ironic as OPstates her house has been extended

we had a full width wrap around extension I know rules differ slight but my god there’s so much mis information just telling OP what she wants to hear about planning rights and party wall agreements

I would pay the favour forward , you never know when you might need a favour back - likely feel better to be in their good books long term - win win if it gets the kitchen sparkling and you get to go out for the day

They also have to pay your solicitors fees for the party wall agreement too! THAT is why they tried to do the extension without you knowing! Find a good solicitor and then tell your neighbours who they are that you know they have to pay all the costs for them. They are up to something and I wouldn’t trust them an inch

I’m not actually sure if you’re chastising me or agreeing with me 🤔🤣🤣
I know there’s no right to light as such, I was responding to @anon2423 who seems to think OP can take this to court for such a reason 🤦‍♀️