Shared driveway

[HJAsplin]

We share a driveway with one other property. We have been informed by our neighbor that they are applying for planning permission to extend their house and to turn the inside downstairs to open plan. This will require major works knocking down inside and an outside walls taking approximately 15 to 20 weeks. We are not against the extension however we realize that there will be major disruption for 5 or more months. The work to be carried out is approximately 3 meters from our house frontage with our house sitting on lower ground. My concerns are numerous but mainly lorries delivering building materials, removing rubble and mechanical equipment using the shared drive not to mention the noise and dirt will be excessive. What rights do we have regarding the heavy use of the shared drive, should we ask for assurances or compensation.

I'd certainly ask for assurances. I think it's only reasonably to be honest that your neighbours give you that.

You could also ask that their contractors use temporary fencing to ensure your garden doesn't end up being trampled over or having things stored on.

Would this come under some kind of party wall agreement? I don’t know very much about them, but I know my neighbour mentioned it to us when we were thinking of doing work.