Planning application - should I warn neighbours

[Bigbopboo]

We're about to submit a planning application. We hope to remodel our very ugly bungalow- adding rear extension and enlarging upstairs space. Currently have one loft room with small dormer.

We think our plans our fairly conservative , tasteful and realistic. We haven't increased the height of the roof. Will still only have one dormer at the front.Two other properties in the street have done similar.

In your experience is it better to be open with neighbours and go through your plans with them? Or should we just keep it under the radar and hope they don't even notice the application/posters. We do get on with our immediate neighbours - both sides and behind. The lady across the road and family diagonally behind are known for being obstructive.

Your neighbours will receive letters about the application anyway. No chance of it going under the radar.

How much will the building work impact on the neighbours? I’d speak to those who may be affected (directly next door etc) but not worry about the others.

Our architect advised us not to talk to the neighbours. We didn’t and so they cited that as part of their objection. Their objections didn’t make any difference, but we still don’t have permission (really not planning anything contentious, but we are in a conservation area) and it really rankles that they got a negative word in. They said they would have objected regardless, because we will spoil their view of our garden. Which is hilarious because part of why we want to male the change is so that we can see our garden from inside - it is an oddly shaped plot.

So in short - it probably depends on how well you know your neighbours. The rest of ours were lovely about it and very complimentary and when we submit our next plans we will get letters of support from them which makes a difference in our area apparently.

I think it's polite to let them know but I wouldn't necessarily go into a lot of detail.

Definitely polite to mention it to them. But don't say the house is ugly if theirs is identical!

If it were me, I'd have a friendly chat about the plans to the immediate neighbours either side just to make them feel in the loop. I'd not bother with anyone across the road or behind. Neighbour objections are usually ignored by the planning committee anyway unless they relate to an actual breach of regulations. The usual complaints of a spoilt view etc are ignored as are complaints re lack of privacy (i.e. a new window overlooking someone's property) unless they're very close (i.e. next door).

Thanks everyone. I think we will speak to immediate neighbours. One is doing building work at the moment and so hopefully won't feel in a position to object too strongly.

@Bufferingkisses it's interesting what you say about the letters. We didn't receive notice of the house across the road, or the one behind us.

@wowfudge - one of our neighbours' house is even uglier!

I'd speak to your neighbours, if only to reassure them that you're not rasing the roof height.

I know its fairly unusual but my parents live in a small village of old people and their neighbours developed a bungalow. The way they went about it really caused a fuss, so much so that they moved away afterwards.

Obviously thats a rare occurrence and they're all a bit strange there , but depending on the demographic of your neighbours (I assume if you have bungalows as neighbours, might be elderly owners who will be in more during the day / disturbed etc), building work has the potential to really cause neighbour issues. I think being open and upfront about it really diffuses the situation.

Our planning authority doesn’t inform neighbours now. In my DM’s road they put the notice on the wrong side of the street so the neighbours didn’t think it applied to a bungalow on their side of the road. My neighbours have demolished and rebuilt. Nothing. Again, the notice was in the wrong place - attached to a telegraph pole adjacent to a field! I complained but the planning authority said they didn’t have to write to neighbours.

In your case, have a word and take Olen’s round. They might be more concerned about noise and mess. If your plans are in keeping with other houses, then you will be fine. Best to keep it friendly with the neighbours though.

I personally would just notify them to be polite but not go into massive detail, especially about how ‘ugly’ it is

Plans round! I would assure them they won’t be overlooked. Details will be available on the council’s web site.

Having recently been an immediate neighbour hugely affected by a neighbour’s development I would definitely speak to the neighbours either side (not across the TIAs etc)

Just to be courteous and put their minds at rest that they will not be adversely affected by your plans

Thanks all. I will speak to both sets of immediate neighbours. Just wanted to check that I wasn't breaking an unwritten rule of house building.

Objections of neighbours will only be taken into account if they are objections which are valid within planning law.

LAs regularly approve applications which are vehemently protested by neighbours.

A view into someone else’s garden, building noise, house value etc are not valid objections.

Privacy and light can be.

OP, some of your work is probably allowed under permitted development anyway?

I would think about impact on neighbours and maybe restrict the hours in which work can take place (e.g not before 8 am, not in Sundays)

I'd definitely talk to neighbours either side as it seems a bit weird and rude not to. I probably wouldn't bother with the woman opposite if she is known to be instructive about these things. Her input is likely to not have much weight as an objection as she isn't an immediate neighbour if she is over the road

As i said upthread, its about more than avoiding objections / the actual planning process. Its also about neighbour relations and enjoying the house / locality once its done. If you're planning on living there afterwards (rather than flipping it) being friendly / courteous / discussing it with neighbours is more likely to avoid confrontation / awkwardness / disputes whilst the work is ongoing and afterwards.