Neighbour upset that we want to extend

[happychange]

We moved into a Victorian terrace about 4 months ago. Mentioned in passing to our next door neighbour that we are thinking of a side return extension.

He got fairly upset and told us that we have to give him lots of notice and the plans as it would block the light in his house.

Well, we bought the house as it had potential to extend, not really sure what we can do really.

Any advice?

Would it block his light?

Not sure.. we are planning a single storey extension side return.. will try to draw a diagram..

If it is going to block his light then he can be upset by that. Your only option would be is to try and plan an extension that minimises that and ask for planning permission. He may or may not object and your application may or may not be approved.

Also the whole street has done it, we are the only two houses on the street that don't have a side return done

I don’t think a side return extension in a terrace would block his light. Unless there’s no hard border at the moment? No fence or wall between the properties?

Speak to your local planning department about your plans. They will tell you what permissions etc you need.
A Victorian terrace is unlikely to have a right to light on its title. Though I suppose you have to balance your plans with how friendly you want to keep your relationship with your neighbour.

Need a diagram as can't envisage it.

I'd try and keep things cordial with your neighbour: consider any impact on him /his house and show him your architect's drawings once they're done.

So noise, dust, rubble, workers wandering up and down, work having to be done from his land.

All for a prolonged period of time.

And that is before we now how far back this goes, how it impacts his garden, turning external walls in to party walls etc.

that others have had it done will mean that you will get permission but it doesn't mean that he has to be happy about it and he does may have valid reasons.

My parents' elderly neighbours had the same concerns. They were right as it did make their house darker. They fell out over it and never got on again.

He is allowed to be upset about it but you can ignore him if you wish. A single storey extension isn't exactly unusual especially in a road where most houses have them.
Personally I would try to be friendly to the neighbour rather than getting stroppy with him. At first at least.

My mums neighbours were refused permission for a side return extn as would have gone to their boundary fence ... and there were objections..
the neighbour said it make there home darker ...

Just because others on your street have done it doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to... I would check with your local planning department before talking to your neighbour again

It will absolutely impact on their light. You may get permission anyway, but their annoyance at the upheaval and eventual detriment to their own home is hardly unreasonable.

Not all extensions need planning permission anymore. However most councils like you to apply (as they make money)

And generally if they have allowed others on the same street it’s unlikely to not be approved and will quite probably would win at appeal.

I’d check with your local planning department and ask them.

Extensions aren’t always refused on planning due to neighbours objections, there is no right to light. However the impact on neighbours should be considered with any development.

Planning is refused by LA usually for reasons such as over development or not in keeping with street scene, access etc.

Do you need PP or can your plans fall under PD rules? Have you spoken to neighbours with have completed their extensions or an architect to have plans drawn.

Planning permission will only be refused if a proposal contravenes planning law (see NPFF / your local neighborhood plan). any neighbour can complain all they like but unless there is a specific reason it does not comply with planning legislation it will be approved.

And i doubt any council makes any money from planing applications - the fee is around £200

People hate surprises and you gave them a pretty big shock.

Anyone would react strongly initially but give them time, get their feedback etc. You need to make sure you get the extension you want while making them feel considered and not left outside the process.

The more you can show them their are considered the better things will be.

There were a few refused round here on overlooking / overbearing grounds, Pink. But I suppose a bog standard side return infill is unlikely to be either unless it’s higher than it strictly needs to be.

I think most people would dislike the disruption and impact on their property caused by the neighbour extending.

It also seems like you broke this fairly major news to your neighbour in a pretty airy fashion. I'm not surprised he was a little taken aback.

Few friend floor extensions need permission now unless they exceed a certain large size (huge in my opinion). So unless it has extended before you prob won't exceed. There are some aspects about building to the boundary that may affect it but in reality neighbours objections don't seem to hold much weight

We saw a house nearby where they tripled the size, took most of the garden and had howls of objections and the planners ignored the lot

Having said that I suggest you try and keep him on board but not building it isn't fair either

If the Planning Officer determines that it blocks your neighbour's light, you may have planning issues.

You consider your needs/wants/budget, the impact on other properties, the builder’s advice, and follow the law.
The NDN may be unhappy regardless of exactly what you do.

Unless you have done your loft I’d imagine you would be able to do it under permitted development. A lot of doom and gloom on this thread but with central government relaxing planning laws I think you’ll be fine. Plus right to light I’d not a thing.

No, there is no automatic right to light, that’s true. Unfortunately.

I had a planner who stopped me from a 2nd floor (small) extension because of neighbour's access to light - even though the other half of my building was made illegally into several flats without planning permission. Bloody unfair for me - being the law-abiding person! But probably the right decision, unfortunately.

It's still a pipe dream at the moment! Haven't got the money to do it yet but probably in 1-2 years time

Will definitely show him the drawings as and when we get it done.

Will just give him time to adjust to the news. I would rather not fall out with him over it as it's unlikely that he's going to be moving out anytime soon