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Balcony/verandah on a flat roof

6 replies

Shortperson · 02/06/2022 15:55

I moved into a bungalow in January that was a new build but the footings were put in 2007. There’s a large house and my home was built in its garden. My neighbours on either side were not happy about my bungalow as it’s by their back gardens but they are cordial. The bungalow was a garden grabber but never built. I’ve only just discovered how they felt from another neighbour.

The old property in front of me was bought by the builder and sold for renovation recently. There is a flat roof extension at it’s back that faces my driveway, front door and garden. On top of the flat roof is a rail that creates a verandah with double doors leading into the main house. I’d done some research and there is no pp for it - just a flat roof extension into the back garden.

The new owners of the old property have put pp in for a kitchen extension on the ground floor and a 4th bedroom with a balcony on top of the extension. This means i will be badly overlooked and loss of privacy. Of course I’m going to object.

I was thinking of contacting the council to complain about the verandah as no pp but as the property is empty and I’ve never met the owners. Is this a good idea or just rely on the pp objection? I haven’t been able to speak to them and the pp was sent to me by letter with no warning.

The house on the other side to the old property also has a bedroom balcony with no PP and they (in the winter when the trees are bare) can see into my living room. It doesn’t bother me too much.

I’ve been doing some research and pp is more likely given for balconies if one is already there - there’s the one I mentioned but with no pp.

I’m going to speak to council to get some advice asap.

I’m not one for upsetting neighbours and want to remain on good terms.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
easyday · 02/06/2022 16:11

How old is it? If after seven years they won't do anything about it, and may not even if recent as it was there when you bought your house.
Overlooking is an objectionable issue with new plans - be sure you object on proper grounds.

Shortperson · 02/06/2022 16:27

Thank you easyday. I’ve paid for a professional to do the objection.

OP posts:
Shortperson · 02/06/2022 16:44

Can I ask another question?

my neighbours on the other side —-who are okay with me! - have built a double rear extension to the rest of their property - they are a bungalow too - with windows that look into my garden. They started building it after I’d exchanged contracts. The builder had hidden the new extension with ivy which has died. I’ve spoken to my neighbours and they did it on pd but a couple of builders have told me they are too large to be permitted under pd. I’m not sure what to do.

OP posts:
Fuckoffeverything · 02/06/2022 18:04

I hope you win but I don't fancy your chances. My neighbours did similar. They applied to lift the height of the roof & build another level -& we're in a conservation area. They were rejected twice over the years & got it built 3rd time around. My garden is now totally overlooked from a great height.

TizerorFizz · 03/06/2022 00:25

You can report suspicious development to the planning department. Ask them to come round and look at the developments.

You maybe need to grow hedges.

Im not sure gardens have privacy rights. Habitable rooms do.

Seeline · 03/06/2022 18:04

A two storey extension to a bungalow?!

Sounds highly unlikely to be permitted development.
Just report it all to the Planning Enforcement team and they can look into it all.

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