Advice on neighbour's extension

[monkeyblonde]

Our next door neighbour has submitted a planning application for a double storey extension that will be right next to our house, creating darkness down one side of the building and completely overshadowing our patio area.

We're a bit miffed as they moved in 18 months ago, soon after the husband passed away unexpectedly. Since then we have gone out of our way to be kind and helpful to her, checking whether she needs anything, mowing her lawn, that kind of thing. We're disappointed that the first we heard of the application was a third party party-wall specialist (we don't have one but the new building will be less than 3 metres from our house), alerting us to the council planning application. She has yet to discuss the application with us.

We obviously want to stay on good terms and are wondering if there is any independent advice that we can seek as to what the impact on our property would be? At this point we are planning to object but don't want to cause any further friction unnecessarily.

I think you have a right to light so should be able to block this.

Do you have windows along that side? You should have been named as a consultee on the planning application, have you checked online?

We have since received an official consultation letter from the council. We don't have windows on that side of the house however it would block another at a 90 degree angle, if that makes sense?

Just hoped that we could put a structured response back with informed advice rather than just a moan!

I think you can put in a simple dispute with little info saying your right to light. Will they overlook your property?
Would you be happy with a single story extension?

The planning portal or council website should list valid reasons to object rather than risk a moan which lacks substance. Being overlooked may well be one, right to light can be tricky to argue definitively.

Look up the 45/25 degree rule for light. Check your local planning authority guidance. Get a great party wall solicitor since next door will be paying for it. See who the allocated planning officer for the planning permission is. Talk to them, so they know you. Ask them to do a site visit to your property.

You will need to object using material planning considerations, relating to land use. Nothing else will be taken into account.
Move quickly as there is a very short consultation period.

Look to see if anyone else has been allowed similar in your road. Usually a council won’t allow A giant 2 storey slab of an extension, but might allow a lower roof line with roof lights for example. Check the councils policy on this. You don’t exactly have a right to light but if a 2 story extension overshadows your patio, you might be able to get a reduction in size.

The manufacturer has gone bust and I have tried everywhere to get a replacement cartridge, even the places that say they can get any cartridge.

So has anyone seen anything like this, apart from the Fired Earth one which is over £600! I would pay up to £200.

Thanks in advance!

Sorry, posted that totally wrong.