My neighbour's new shed

[shedofdread]

Hello everyone

My house is set into a hillside and our garden slopes up so the back of the garden is level with our bedroom window.

Our neighbour has erected a shed in their back garden. It is 5m away from and level with our bedroom window. She can see into our bedroom window - admittedly just a into the corner of the room where there's currently just a wardrobe but it still feels like a loss of privacy.

At my OH's request I didn't say anything, but last weekend they complained that the hedgerow at the back of our garden is blocking the light to their shed.

I wouldn't mind if the shed was just a place to store tools, but this thing has a verandah with glass windows and doors.

They didn't get planning permission. I am annoyed at their sense of entitlement in telling me to cut our laurel back and I feel as if we have lost a lot of our privacy.

Do I have any rights to ask her to take it down? And what are the rules regarding putting a big fence up between us, or maybe even a hedgerow? I know planning is tricky because the town we're in is part of a world heritage site.

Hmm, it is not really within your remit to "allow" the summerhouse to stay, just not to report it. I also would not bet that planning enforcement would be either quick or result in its removal. Tbh the tone is rather aggressive, could you mute it a bit.

I laughed when you talked about the rights of private enjoyment in your bedroom. So you might want to rephrase that bit.

This is so similar to another recent posting, neighbours built mancave that could see into daughters bedroom. The mother and daughter got really upset.

@LIZS

Hmm, it is not really within your remit to "allow" the summerhouse to stay, just not to report it. I also would not bet that planning enforcement would be either quick or result in its removal. Tbh the tone is rather aggressive, could you mute it a bit.

I think you're right. I am going to sit on this for a few days.

@wigjuice - thanks! I will have a look for that one.

Shedofdread I tried to find it for you, but failed I'm afraid.

Love your username btw op :)

Gowalkabout has a good suggestion. I admit Im wary of approaching neighbours about anything. We had neighbours in dispute and it started and escalated over the most trivial thing. I was amazed at how quickly things got out of hand. I do hope you can come to an amicable agreement. Good luck.

I don’t understand how you have less privacy with the shed there compared to them just sitting in that part of their garden?

We have the same sort of house op as you , build on the side of a hill and it’s a very low design with 15 degree roof. The neighbours behind are higher and can look down on to part of our garden and through the French doors. One of the previous owners have planted bamboo at the top of the garden and it does a perfect job of screening .

Maybe plant something on your side just to block out the view of your window ?

I'd contact the planning department in your council. I live in a very hilly area and remember a friend of my sister having a similar issue with a decking area. I think the neighbours ended up having to either remove it or pat for a fence. So it's worth checking.

@PattyPan

I don’t understand how you have less privacy with the shed there compared to them just sitting in that part of their garden?

The shed is built on a platform level with the back of the garden and it slopes a lot there - it's about 70cm from the ground where they would have been able to stand before it was built.

I don't think the fact you are on a slope has any bearing. They could have put a garden bench and table there.

FYI, the permitted height of a shed is calculated from the highest part of the land. On a slope that's 2.5m at the rear and any height at the front, depending on the gradient.

Generally max height under PD is 2.5m within 2m of the boundary or 2.5m at eaves and

*2.5m at eaves and

Raising level by 70cm requires pp.

On uneven ground the allowed height is calculated from the highest part of the land. In this case it's 0 at the rear and 70 at the front which is ok.

Hypothetically, you can 0 at the rear but be on such a steep gradient that the front is say 5 meters off the ground. It's unlikely but within permitted development none the less. It's a strange quirk of the rule.

I'm pretty sure though that because the front of this shed is elevated and has a balcony / veranda, it is not allowed under permitted development.

"No verandas, balconies or raised platforms (a platform must not exceed 0.3 metres in height)"

www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/43/outbuildings

This is possibly due to health and safety.

@User135792468

Ugh why would you be so nasty to go and report them to the local planning department? Just say that you like your hedge and that due to the slope, they can see into your bedroom window and so you’re keeping the hedge.

It doesn’t have to be ‘nasty’ or personal in any way.

People have the right to enjoy their homes within the full potential of what is objectively permitted.

I go to my wardrobe when I am not wearing anything all the time. I would hate to be farting across, making sure I am in the ‘blind spot’ .

Or to have to arrange my bedroom layout in response to a neighbours unlawful and unconsulted action.

The OP doesn’t have to ‘report’, she can check whether it is within permitted development.

If it is, fine, she will have to live with it.

Just like NDN will have to live with the hedge.

@shedofdread did you ever get this sorted, or are your neighbors still overlooking?