Neighbours extension not as approved plans

[Obscure2019]

A business has built an extension next to the boundary of our garden and our neighbours garden.

There are a few issues and I’m wondering if anything can be done about any of it and who we need to speak to?

1- neighbours and us never received any planning notice through so we’re unaware of the extension until it had started

2 - they have used clear glazing on Windows that overlook our boundary rather than obscure as per the approved plans

3 - they have put scaffolding up on our side of the fence without requesting permission

4 - they have reduced in size by approximately half a row of conifer trees that was the backdrop to our gardens.
My main concern here is if they have done any lasting damage and if the trees will survive such a reduction.
Also not happy about this being done without asking permission

Is ans our neighbours can contact the planning department regarding the windows but are they likely to do anything?
Will they be able to help regarding the trees?

Why did you allow the scaffolding to remain insitu?

By allowing them to be CF with that they have continued by violating the extension plans.

Have a look at your council website. They might have information on there

I didn’t know about the scaffolding until they had chopped the trees meaning I have taken a closer look and found out.

We will be contacting the planning office today

Are the conifer trees yours or theirs?

So the chopped trees were in your garden?!

Yes the conifer trees are in our garden and our neighbours

This is a section of the approved plans showing the conifers and where the glazing should be obscured but isn’t

Chopping down your trees = Criminal Damage. I suspect this is a police matter not council. The scaffolding is technically Trespass.
You are quite within your rights to demand its removal ASAP, and say they can't use it while waiting its removal.
Contact Council re glazing, and ask Building Control to intervene

Does it still count as criminal damage if they haven’t totally removed them but cut them by 50%?

I’m just wondering if there will be any come back from the business owner

Many Councils just put up site notices rather than writing to neighbours these days - it's cheaper. Doesn't really work though if you back onto the site though.

You need to check the actual planning permission to see if there is a condition relating to the obscure glazing/windows, or at the very least a condition requiring the building to be completed in accordance with the approved plans If there is the Planning Enforcement team should be able to take action.

The scaffolding and tree issue is a private matter. You could try writing to the owners demanding they replace your trees if you can prove that they are yours. You may need to involve solicitors.

that's really cheeky. Check your house insurance for legal cover. In theory you can get an injunction to force them to remove their scaffolding, and damages for cutting your trees. They probably cut them to allow light to their windows. What height have they cut them down to?

Assuming there are no TPOs, they are legally allowed to cut back any branches that extend over the boundary, but it sounds like they have done more than that. They have no right to cut any of the tree that is wholly on your land, no matter how much light it blocks

Call the planning officer and get advice. They usually come out and look then will discuss. If the windows are not obscured and should be as per plans then they can insist they are changed.

I would ask them to now take all the cut back trees out! Conifers are awful anyway! Ask them to replant with deciduous tress that promote wildlife, instead of wildlife unfriendly conifers.

If opaque glass is stipulated, ask the planning enforcement officer to intervene. Why did you allow the scaffolding company on your property? Or did they put it up from their side? I would see if the business owner would be amenable to making changes. I would definitely try and get a nice new hedge out of them though!

Find the reference number for the build/address and ring the planning department of your council. As for not getting a letter, probably because you aren't on the same street.