Extensions, permitted development & neighbours views

[WillowB]

Help and advice please!
We're going to view a house tomorrow. It's in our dream location. Quiet cul de sac, lovely village etc.
The house is a semi at the end of a row. On the other side of the house are open fields. Most of the street have lovely views from their back windows towards the fields at the end.
The house as it stands is too small but we could extend single storey to the rear under permitted development and possibly look into a loft conversion for a 4th bedroom.
An extension to the rear would alter/restrict the current view of our next door neighbours from the back of their house. Would they be able to object on these grounds? I've searched the planning applications and one was turned down about 20 years ago but this would have been way before PD rights.
I feel bad thinking about upsetting the neighbours before even viewing but an extension us the only way we could make the house viable & the location is so perfect.
Any advice appreciated.

Legally, they can't object on those grounds. However, it could be hell living next door to people who hate you from day 1.

The neighbours probably need to be realistic, that if you're thinking about this, other buyers will too, so they might be better off coming up with an amicable solution. It might be worth trying to speak to them before going any further?

Yes I think you're right about them hating us which is putting me off buying the house.
The vendors are moving because they've outgrown it. Realistically it's not a family sized house despite being a 3 bed. Tiny lounge & a small kitchen diner downstairs.

Double check that permitted development applies to your house. Contact the local council planning department. Permitted development is not allowed for every house -- you would be surprised that this applies to some apparently normal houses.

Talk to your neighbours before putting an application or a certificate in. They will get notified (even if they can't object) and it's much smoother for both sides to know what's coming.

Ps don't by the house if it's not big enough for you. If I had a pound for everytime I have to tell people to move if it's not big enough........ you should look to grow into a house not buy one which is too small.

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. Hadn't considered party wall agreements.
Looking at an aerial photo it's clear the neighbours have extended their own house by at least the PD measurements so would be a bit hypocritical to object...
You're absolutely right though Littlecaf & I am trying to be ruled by my head not my heart. Will have a better idea when we've viewed tomorrow. I'm hoping I hate it so we can just go with our second choice - A huge 1920s doer upper.
We'll see!