Neighbours planning for a very colourful extension

[geraltofdorset]

Hi everyone.

For context, we have had issues with elderly neighbours who don't like change (we are a 60s semi detached housing estate where all houses look sameish). Lots on the street have been adapted with loft conversions and side extensions over the years. Neighbours now struggling with mobility and have put a request in for front extension (they want somewhere to store scooters I think and a toilet).

The design isn't something I would have personally (size is 7m2) and it'll look quite squished onto the house as will come straight out of window recess and will block their own light substantially. I have no issues with the size/position at all as it really doesn't impact my amenities.

I am really concerned about the visual design the neighbours have gone for… They have put on their application that they want to use gloss/shiny coloured bricks. They want half to be yellow and the other half to be a crimson pink I know they have quirky taste but everyone that comes onto our road is going to see this structure and it's going to stick out like a sore thumb! I think it's really going to spoil the area we have long driveways so based on the size, it will likely get approved.

I'm planning to put an objection in but haven't done this sort of this before- do I just say I think it'll look really bad? I'm not in a position financially to pay for advice, the planning office weren't helpful at all and we don't have the best relationship with neighbour so they wouldn't consider changing it based on our opinion.

The other neighbours are all fairly old and keep themselves to themselves so it's probably only me that will object.

Any tips? I think im still shocked about their design!

** I think the size will be approved but am hoping the visual design won't

Say the proposed materials are not in keeping with the local area, and will result in an extension out of character with the host dwelling. The extension will therefore be visually dominant in the street scene.

@Seeline wow that sounds great, much more proper than I would've ever put ha ha thank you

30+ years on the job 😁 If you really want to, have a look at the planning pages on the Council website. There should be a link to the local plan which will contain policies relating to extensions, and other built development. You can quote those in your objection too.

Check it out but my understanding is that front extensions that are in front of the original house won’t be approved.

Front extensions generally need planning permission, which is often granted. It will depend entirely on things like distance from the road, impact on neighbours and whether the extension would be visually intrusive in the street scene or out of character.

Is the sun reflecting off them a thing to object to?? A new school was built on my old commute, when it's sunny it's blinding driving towards it because it's all glass and the sun reflects off it

Also have a look on your own council's planning applications bit, sometimes you can find a planning application using a map which will highlight all the properties that have applied. Hopefully yours is like mine, you can click on each one to see what they applied for and if it was successful.

We deliberately went through all the unsuccessful ones and wrote down their wording for why it was refused. Building forward of the building line is usually not allowed. You can google how to object to a planning application and you should easily find ones that show you under which criteria the council will take notice. ie something like not in keeping with the surrounding area, building materials not matching in with original structure etc. Good luck.

Thanks everyone. I don't think they'll have an issue in getting it approved, I'm really not fussed by the size of it or the position of it, and it will make a really big difference to them as they get increasingly older. I just wish they were planning to make it look like the original house, so it didn't stand out for the wrong reasons.

Can’t they just paint it after?

1960's houses are an eyesore for how uniform and bland they are. I hope they get their planning permission, it sounds fabulous.

I believe it's quite unusual for a semi detached house to get approval for a front extension.

@maudisgonne

Check it out but my understanding is that front extensions that are in front of the original house won’t be approved.

This. My dh's elderly uncle slapped a big conservatory on the front of his house across the front elevation. Neighbours complained to planning and he was ordered to take it down.

(As an aside, I feel like he was taken for a ride by the company he used: they must have known it was not allowed)

@choirmumoftwo

I believe it's quite unusual for a semi detached house to get approval for a front extension.

It doesn't go across the entire front, it's more of a bigger porch (spans half the house width)

@user375432

1960's houses are an eyesore for how uniform and bland they are. I hope they get their planning permission, it sounds fabulous.

Having a quirky taste and extravagant designs is fine but it doesn't suit this estate nor our type of house. You've missed the point entirely

Where do you buy glossy bricks? I want some

What is your point? I think they should go for it

Sorry but people like you disgust me. You do you and let them do them. What right do you have to impose your aesthetic preferences on others?

I think you've misunderstood. Yellow and pink bricks are not brightly coloured, they're very normal shades of brick. Your 60s semi is quite likely to be yellow brick.

Wow a bit harsh. Maybe op finds the colour scheme disgusting. Planning is a democratic process and she has a right to give her opinion.

1. It’s their house
2. They own
3. They should be able to do whatever they like

Honestly let them love their house, it has absolutely no bearing on your life whatsoever. You can object because it’s not your aesthetic preference, how utterly ridiculous. It’s not your house.

*can’t object

Yellow bricks, commonly used in 60s/ 70s houses.

www.travisperkins.co.uk/shop/yellow-facing-brick

Red/ pink/ orange bricks are used in more modern houses, there are examples on the above link.

I really don’t understand why this would bother you. Anyone you u are selling your house to might be encouraged that they can make design led additions to their future home.

I don't think I was as clear on my OP, the design of bricks look more like tiles on the image they gave. It's not pink/yellow normal/standard house bricks, they're bright pink and bright yellow shiny bricks, like tiles you'd normally get in an interior setting.

I'm totally for people having their own tastes and I completely respect that they like it. What I'm struggling with is it would change how the street looks and it's going to be really eye catching amongst a uniform estate. I guess I'm objecting to them making a very prominent feature/ bold statement within a typical looking estate.

I hate Mumsnet for this reason, instead of giving me advice in forming an objection, people have started bashing me for having the right to do so

Thank you to those who have replied with constructive feedback- I'm not going to reply anymore as it's making me very anxious