Objecting to neighbour's extension request - right to light issue

[JacobReesMogadishu]

Our next door neighbours currently have a garage extension on the side of the house. As the houses are so close together there is about 4 ft max between the side of their house and the side of their garage. I have no problem with the garage. We have a landing window on the side of the house upstairs which is the only way of getting light into our landing and hallway.

They have applied to extend above the garage. I've had a letter from the council informing me of this and have logged on and objected as we would have a brick wall 4ft from our landing window which would block a lot of light.

Anyone been in this position and know how likely it is they won't be allowed to go ahead? I'm worried they'll get permission anyway. I've googled and apparently we do have a right to light but it sounds quite complicated.

That's really frustrating. I would be really annoyed if our landing window was blocked, it may not be a living area but it helps light flow through the whole house.

If they are agreeable , a light render on the gable wall would make a big difference to your light in that landing window

If I had good reason to object to planning permission I certainly wouldn't allow the scaffolding on my land. I have also read in the past that there is no right to light. Why can't they just move house rather than cause all this upset for you.

I think you need to work with them re scaffolding etc. Regarding the light, what is above the landing, could you put in a skylight above or a light tube- if you agree not to object and be reasonable about the build then your neighbours might be prepared to contribute.

My husband is an architect. He says unfortunately the general rule is right to light wouldn't apply to the window concerned in your case because a landing isn't classed as a 'room of significant habitability'.

It very much sounds like the scaffolding will fit in their path anyway.

Why did you let the ther neighbour have their ovrrflow and stenchpipe over your property?

To the person who said the neighbour should move rather than extend are you chipping in for the stamp duty, agents fees and extra amount to move to a larger house? Don't be ridiculous

Ours neighbours made such a song and dance about our extension - 23 pages of complaint, pictures, threats, acting like judge and jury - that the relationship is irrecoverably damaged. She also knocked on all the doors locally and got a few others to write in support!

We got permission.

It is worth putting in writing your concerns, it draws attention to the project, but to be honest it doesn’t influence the outcome. Be factual and say you’re concerned. No one (normal) can take offence to you highlighting your concerns. Just don’t try and wage a war, it’s not your battle and you’re not actually a stakeholder in the process.

I couldn't get too excited about the landing but there's no way on earth o would be agreeing to their scaffolding being on my land!

Upthread, others have suggested you put a roof light, possibly using their workmen/scaffold and/or a contribution?
Or/and, ask them to paint the wall white.
By the way at future intervals, you may need to not be unreasonable if they need some access to refresh the paint.
Nobody has asked yet, but do you or they, or their builders, have an idea for a temporary secure lockable store box for the bike, in front of either house?

www.sunpipe.monodraught.com/

Worth a look!

Couldn’t you put in a skylight? I have a similar set up and the hallway is a bit dark but I’ve just decided to embrace it and paint it a dark colour except on the top floor where we’re planning on a skylight.

@Viviennemary

If I had good reason to object to planning permission I certainly wouldn't allow the scaffolding on my land. I have also read in the past that there is no right to light. Why can't they just move house rather than cause all this upset for you.

They only moved in a few months ago.....I’d have thought it would have been cheaper and less hassle for them to have bought a house big enough for them. They bought a 3 bed semi and for the amount of money the extension must be costing them they could have bought A 5 bed detached. 🤷‍♀️ They’ll end up with a 4 bed semi at the end of it.

A skylight wouldn’t work but the pipe thing might, thanks .....will look into that. The house is Victorian red brick so I think them painting the gable end in a light render would look really odd.

I expect they couldn't find the kind of house they wanted in the right location.

We had a "love it or list it" dilemma for ages and kept an eye on Rightmove listings for months and months, went to view several houses but there was nothing we liked enough to put an offer on.

We have decided to stay put and do an extension. By the time we've paid for it all (a huge amount) it will still cost us less than moving would have done and we'll have exactly what we want. If you move house it's never exactly how you want it and there's always work to do on top of the stress and expense of moving.

What about putting stained glass in the landing window? It'd hide the brick wall view.

My husband the architect (🥱) says that when you object the phrase to use is that your neighbour is 'forcing an overbearing relationship'.

@Cherrybakewellard

My husband the architect (🥱) says that when you object the phrase to use is that your neighbour is 'forcing an overbearing relationship'.

Thank you. I’ll remember that.

It does read like you’re desperately thinking of reasons op to stop them or make this as difficult for them as possible. Because you came up with one concer and when it appeared not something you’d be able to stop them with You started to try to think of other reasons then how you could refuse scaffolding.

You need to do you but you’re not coming across very well.

Because the first thing I thought of was the light issue.....as I was only thinking about the long term, permanent effect.

It didn’t cross my mind about how they would actually do the extension until a while later. Don’t you think having concerns about how to get a bike out your garden which you use every day for leisure and commuting is a valid reason? I can’t get to work without it.

And I don’t think for one minute refusing scaffolding g would stop the actual extension as I remember someone on here had a similar issue years ago and had to get scaffolding front and back instead of at the side. I just wasn’t sure if I could insist on such a scaffolding arrangement.

Op. You’re not saying though they can put scaffolding up as long as can’t still wheel my bike out under it though are you?

Just be honest you’re wanting to stop them doing it, for any reason you can think of. You’re anonymous on here you may as well be honest about it. You want to be difficult and you fully intend to be.

You absolutely don't have to allow any form of permission for them to access your property for any of these works, including scaffolding or overhanging scaffolding etc. If they do then you should call the planning officer immediately.
Do you know what purpose the room they are building would be? Where are they proposing to put the window for that room?

Good advice already given by seeline. Another former planning officer here. No, your side landing window wouldn't give me a second thought about approving a 2 storey side extension. Both boroughs I worked in required a 0.5m set back from the front line of the property to avoid a terracing effect but you could build up to the party boundar.y Just because the planner grants permission does not give them any right to put scaffolding on your land, you can say no and that's the end of it, but it's a civil issue if they did, the planners have no powers and will not get involved. The planners will not control how scaffolding goes up as that would be an unenforceable condition. Unless you're in a conservation area there is a presumption in favour of development, meaning it's likely to be approved without significant reason to refuse which so far from what you've put there isn't one. Complete aside but in 10 years as a planner working on applications from tiny householder extensions, to major industrial applications to 500 house developments I never heard that exact phrase from the architect, I understand what it means but I'd take one look and go 'no sorry, not in my opinion'- do you know if the planner has done a site visit yet, presumably it's being decided under delegated powers? If they've been out you can ask if they know their recommendation yet, usually a planner will tell you if they are minded to recommend approval or refusal.

We extended over our garage and weren't allowed a side window as it would be too close to our neighbours in terms of privacy (semi-detached, their garage adjoined ours). It was their landing window we would have overlooked. It didn't matter to us as we didn't want a side window anyway and if we had put a window in and they extend in future., we'd either be able to climb into each other's houses or we'd be viewing a brick wall!
I'm sure these sorts of issues wouldn't arise if people were just a bit more thoughtful and considerate.

@Bluntness100

Op. You’re not saying though they can put scaffolding up as long as can’t still wheel my bike out under it though are you?

Just be honest you’re wanting to stop them doing it, for any reason you can think of. You’re anonymous on here you may as well be honest about it. You want to be difficult and you fully intend to be.

Actually I am. Someone said about a cantelever scaffolding which I’d not heard of and I said that sounded a good idea. I’d be fine with that.