To pull out of house sale due to neighbour’s planned large extension?

[Ital2004]

I am in the process of buying a semi. However the searches have come back and the adjoining neighbours have had planning permission approved for a 2 storey rear extension. 5m out from ground floor and 3.5m projecting out from 1st floor. I’m not too bothered about size of ground floor one as was planning on eventually doing the same in a couple of years. It’s the first floor one I have a problem with as the garden is north west facing and the extension is on west side so would affect sunlight coming into back bedroom. I’m so confused over what to do. Would the size of the extension really cause that much of a problem? Anyone had similar experiences with size of neighbours extensions?

As far as I'm aware, you don't have to allow scaffolding so they can build the new part BUT if you do choose to allow it, they would then have the right to access for maintenance purposes, for example to clear their gutters.

In your position I would pull out. I don't know what the market is like where you are looking but there are plenty of 3 bed semis similar to the one you describe within 8 miles of where we live now.

You'd probably have a wide choice of alternatives without the potential worry of reselling and lack of light.

Another consideration is that an extension of that size is going to take some time and a world of noise, mess and hassle to build. You'll spend the first few months in your new home with all of that going on. If works are due to start in the Autumn it's possible that there could be delays for weather, prolonging the disruption.

Be aware OP that this could happen in any house you purchase - the only reason you are finding out about it now is they needed planning permission in this case, but most people could build a 2 storey extension off the back of their house under permitted development.

I probably wouldn't let it put me off if the house is otherwise great.

This will also mean a long period of noise and disruption as they build as well as disrupting the amount of sun/light you will be getting.

I would walk.

That would put me off. Our neighbours are doing something similar but they are on the east side so it won’t cause an issue with the afternoon evening light.

If the neighbours on the other side wanted to do it, I’d put in an objection as it would cause issues for us

If it would only impact on a bedroom, is it actually that big a deal?

I would pull out. We lived next door to a house building an extension and it took the whole summer. Noise, dust, damage...