Neighbours Replaced Downstairs Side Window Wth Clear Glass

[SENMinefield]

Neighbours are having all their windows replaced...all fine...even let them put scaffolding up our land as they only have 1 meter to the boundary. Came home tonight to discover they have replaced their side window which is their dining room from frosted glass to clear. Now our patio/garden is totally overlooked! Really fed up as we replaced our fencing last year to low fencing so we didn't block their light. Is there anything we can do or am I just going to have to buy more fencing...and a very bright security light for our side access which might have to shine straight into the window 🤣.

Put up high fencing, it is absolutely your right to do so.

If a new extension they may have had a condition to require frosted window there, but if an old part of the house then likely no conditions.

I thought changing from frosted to clear was a property change that needed planning permission. Worth a check but maybe as pictures said it only applies if it's a condition.

What is the maximum height plus trellis can a fence go? No going out to the bins in my underwear anymore grrrrr.

Any tips on how to make a fence as ugly as possible (neighbours side). So not happy with having to now replace a fence which is only one year old.

Will be calling planning tomorrow as suspect it is an extension but quite old.

Six feet for a fence, but plants can go higher, although they can then get arsey and complain if you go too high.

How old? The approval details may still be online. Search your street on the planning portal, see what comes up.

Maximum height a fence can be is 2m (including trellis). If you want to go higher you’d need planning permission which is prob not worth the hassle for a fence

Supposed to be 2m for hedging.... However hedging is classed as 3 or more plants in a row.... I'm guessing not enough gap to plant a tree.

Sit on a high stool with a drink of choice, and stare in at them every time they are using that room. Or put a row of ugly garden gnomes on top of the low fence so they also have an interesting view.

There is an extension on the planning portal but the details can't be seen. Will have to try and get through to the planning department tomorrow.

Sadly not enough room for a tree and we dug out a hedge to put the fence up....sigh...not even our boundary but next door didn't want to deal with the unsightly leaning hedge as they couldn't see it because of the frosted glass.

@CombatBarbie

Supposed to be 2m for hedging.... However hedging is classed as 3 or more plants in a row.... I'm guessing not enough gap to plant a tree.

There is no limit on hedges in general - the limit only related to the leylandii type trees when planted as a hedge.

I wonder if I plant some bamboo in toughs to put in front of the fence until I can get the fencing replaced. In SE and getting tradesmen in virtually impossible.

Maybe they are going to put blinds up

I'd get a security light with a sensor Op Make sure it's connected so it only picks their movement up and the bulb shines straight through the glass, that way they won't be able to see you popping out to the bin in your unmentionables... in fact, if the bulb is bright enough they won't be able to see much of anything

Frankly, if I went out to the bins in my underwear the neighbours would get frosted glass pretty quickly.

As you’re clearly on speaking terms rather than stewing over it or going to extreme lengths why not actually go around a explain your concerns to them, get them round show them how you feel about it and tell them calmly that you don’t want to put a fence up to block their light but you will if it stays as it is, if they see things from your perspective they might see sense and frost it out and if they don’t when you put the fence up you can apologies and say well I did tell you

Could you suggest to them that you can easily get adhesive frosted film in DIY shops for windows - if they can do that instead of replacing the entire window?

I'd rather my neighbour just casually asked me to cover the glass rather than get a call from planning reporting a complaint Could make things worse in the long term maybe?

Can also get window covering with any design on it to match their decor, google it

Hope you get sorted

@SENMinefield

I wonder if I plant some bamboo in toughs to put in front of the fence until I can get the fencing replaced. In SE and getting tradesmen in virtually impossible.

How annoying. This is your answer for now.

@SENMinefield

What is the maximum height plus trellis can a fence go? No going out to the bins in my underwear anymore grrrrr.

Our deeds say ours is five feet.

Surely if the scaffolding is on your property because there's only a metre to the boundary, they have always overlooked your patio with the path?

I think that yabu to expect that they wouldn't want to have a clear window tbh.

You can do all above, is it really worth that though? You can buy pull out screens. Surely those used when actually needed is more cost effective and less unsightly.

@Mysa74

I'd get a security light with a sensor Op Make sure it's connected so it only picks their movement up and the bulb shines straight through the glass, that way they won't be able to see you popping out to the bin in your unmentionables... in fact, if the bulb is bright enough they won't be able to see much of anything

All of that because she wants to go outside in her bra. How sadistic!

I would go round and calmly discuss your concerns. Sounds awful.

Bamboo works so well, it's quick growing and tall. But in a caution it's roots are invasive so you may get it in other places.

@SENMinefield

I wonder if I plant some bamboo in toughs to put in front of the fence until I can get the fencing replaced. In SE and getting tradesmen in virtually impossible.

Get some big pots and put the bamboo in them. At least you can reposition them if you need access yourself.