Party wall

[springybiffy]

New neighbour ('30s semi-detached), he plans to do extensive renovations. The house belonged to a woman who had lived there since it was built. The house is in exactly the condition it was when it was built eg no central heating, outside lav etc. The garden was also extremely overgrown with trees, fox dens. He has cut all that back, which is of course his right. There is a big hedge between our houses at the front - he wants it cut right down, I would rather it stayed moreorless as it is, as it has taken 20+ years to get to that height (approx 14'). He does block the sun from the front of his house until about midday.

He asked me to sign a form saying I was ok about him building an extension at the back (dormer). I took a while to look into it but it's quite complicated and I didn't get very far.

about a month later he knocked again on my door and showed me architect plans for the large dormer - two tiles away from the party wall - on the third storey. He is building another (full storey) extension on the opposite side to my house, which won't concern me.

The architect plans for the dormer were drawn on my side of the house (iyswim). I'm sure an architect knows its right side from its left. It may be that the architect provided him with plans from another build? (saves costs I should've thought - the houses are bog standard 30s size) But the plans have made me feel suspicious...

I signed the form (and have a copy): the wording is that I agree to him building an extension. He said he hasn't yet got planning.

Here are my queries:

1. should I have signed the form before he has planning
2. If I have signed the form, can I contest the plans in future
3. Could I ask him to show me the plans as he goes along
4. Can he apply for the front hedge to be cut down

Above all I don't want to get heavy or fall out with new neighbours. I don't want hassle but I do need to protect myself.

TIA for any help.

My neighbour had a large extension but i was never asked to sign any forms by them.

I got a letter from the Council Planning Dept showing details of the plans and an opportunity to put in an objection.

He may well be using your signed confirmation that you agree to the extension and present it to the planning dept in the hope of getting it passed.

Who does the front hedge belong to? If it is him, you have no leg to stand on as to what he does with it. If it is shared you may have to come to an agreement to have it reduced.

I would be inclined to write him a letter stating that, whilst in principal you are happy to consider his extension, any issues you have will be made directly to the planning dept upon receipt of their official documentation outlining the extension.

Thanks for the advice, trifle. I feel better for it, also having written out my concerns. As I was typing, the gardener was going full-throttle with a chainsaw and it was making me nervous! He has already cut down a huge elder - which grew on my side close to my back door and which I used every year for flowers and berries. Entirely my neighbour's right to cut it down of course. I've not really had a neighbour all the time I've lived here - elderly, reclusive (deaf) neighbour; house empty for the past 5 years - and it's challenging to weather the changes. Fair enough though, of course.

*Which grew onto my side, but the trunk was in my neighbour's garden - just