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Original poster

Neighbour unhappy about porch

75 replies

jenn88 · 05/04/2023 16:47

Looking for an outsiders opinion and advice!

DP and I brought our first home 5 years ago! Run down and needed gutting! Blood, sweat, tears and endless money has gone into this house!

Finally we have been able to start process of adding a much needed porch! We have three dogs and a 3 year old! We are only house on street that has not added a porch!

It's been started about a month ago but slow progress due to rain! But foundations dug and concrete base laid, our drive is covered in bricks, bags of sand etc so no secrecy!

Next door, lovely lady in her 70's (I should imagine!) has mentioned to DP as he left for work this morning she wants a word tonight as she is unhappy with our planned porch as it will block some of the Sun into her living room....!

She is very active woman, out most of the day every day with her horse, also never opens her blinds in her living room!!! (Not relevant!!)

I can't see how this would impact her 'sun' and I want to know how to approach this without causing conflict! I'm generally a bit of an anxious over thinker and would hate to upset her!!

We are good neighbours! Always try to help her out with bin day, DP will clear her drains when he has ladder out etc (this isn't relevant!)

Thanks if you got this far!!

OP posts:
Hallmark1234 · 05/04/2023 16:54

So if you're the only house on the road that doesn't have a porch, that must mean that she does?

If so she's got a darn cheek! What is she expecting you to do, take down the already half built porch?

Please don't try to appease her, or she'll be making more demands. Be polite, but firm and tell her the porch is going ahead. More worrying is her attitude! Saying she wants a word tonight! 😡

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 05/04/2023 17:01

My Nan had this issue with neighbours porch as it was right next to her living room window. The neighbour agreed to make it a brick bottom and glass top so light still got through.

But, as a PP says surely she has a porch too from the way you have worded it?

Original poster
jenn88 · 05/04/2023 17:09

Yes she has a porch!! I will add a drawing of the layout of houses so as to not hide anything!
She is house 1

Neighbour unhappy about porch
OP posts:
Pinksorrel · 05/04/2023 17:09

Is your porch bigger/taller than the others on the road? If not, just say it's perfectly reasonable for you to build it, and that you have planning permission (or if it's permitted development just say that). *

*Assuming you are in Scotland or the rules are the same wherever you live.

Jonei · 05/04/2023 17:11

If you have the necessary permissions for it then I wouldn't worry about it. If she's got a porch herself then she has a cheek to ask you not to have one.

1000yellowdaisies · 05/04/2023 17:12

I see from your diagram that she has a porch?.. very cheeky. I would speak with her but be very firm that you're having q porch, its half built, end of story.

Original poster
jenn88 · 05/04/2023 17:12

Yes all within permitted plans so no planning needed! Same size as all other porches on street including hers!

OP posts:
Namechange828492 · 05/04/2023 17:13

That's ridiculous, there's a lawn, TWO DRIVEWAYS and her own front garden between your porch and her window? She's having a laugh.

Will the porch be glass on 3 sides?

Viviennemary · 05/04/2023 17:13

If you have planning permission nothing she can do. I would just smile and say nearly all the houses have porches. I didn't think it would be a problem.

Mamette · 05/04/2023 17:14

Ask her to provide a detailed engineers report on the impact the porch will have to the sun levels in every part of her sittingroom through the course of the day, year round, and you will review it.

Deathbyfluffy · 05/04/2023 17:15

Tell her fine, you'll use her porch to store all your stuff in - after all she has one, but you're apparently not allowed to do the same.

Alternatively, just tell her to off.

FirstFallopians · 05/04/2023 17:15

Just smile and nod before saying “ah yes,well there are pros and cons with a porch, as I’m sure you know.” while pointing to her very own porch.

Original poster
jenn88 · 05/04/2023 17:17

@Namechange828492 no, it will be a brick! In keeping with all other porches on this street, the same brick as our house! We are having it so the brick work is connected to the current wall to make it look like it has always been there if that makes sense!

OP posts:
GloriousGoosebumps · 05/04/2023 17:20

Have you any idea why she believes that your porch will block her light? Even allowing for the fact that your drawing won't be to scale, there's such a large gap that she should be alright?

Original poster
jenn88 · 05/04/2023 17:21

I really appreciate all your replies! I have laughed!
I think I may be worrying myself unnecessarily!
If anyone's keen I will let you all know what she says to DP and hopefully myself as I also own this house and soon to be porch!!

OP posts:
60smusic · 05/04/2023 17:22

Not sure if I'm looking at your diagram wrong but the porch looks really far away from her house?

If it were me I'd just say "Hi Biddy, I liked the look of your porch and other neighbours porches so much that I decided to get the same one as everyone".

Original poster
jenn88 · 05/04/2023 17:24

@60smusic
Yes In my opinion it is far enough away from her house to have minimal impact! It may limit a very small amount of sun at a very small time of the day!!!

OP posts:
Hallmark1234 · 05/04/2023 17:26

Surely the porch of house 2 is more likely to block light/sun than yours?

I think what she really means is that she doesn't like seeing the mess/half built porch right in front of her house!

WonderingWanda · 05/04/2023 17:35

"Don't worry neighbour, it won't cause you any problems as it's going to be identical to yours.

Original poster
jenn88 · 05/04/2023 17:38

Yes its definitely messy! But short lived and I have told builders to keep off her side of drive!

OP posts:
BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 05/04/2023 17:39

At that distance the sun would have to be quite low in the sky to cast a shadow on her window. So either first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening, and probably not year round, and probably it won't affect her at all, I bet she hasn't done the calculations just complained. There are several online resources for calculating shadow if you Google. I would accurately measure the distances involved along with the height of your porch and use one of the websites to see if it will even make any difference to her.

Wonnle · 05/04/2023 17:40

Clearly a case of Porch Envy going on .

Is it going to bigger than her's ?

FreddiesTeeth · 05/04/2023 17:42

If you jave any relevant permissions then there's nothing to be said. If she wants to complain then she needs to take it up with the planning bods. Simple.

Greensleevevssnotnose · 05/04/2023 17:44

So many ¡!!!!!!!!!!!! It hurt my eyes.

itsgettingweird · 05/04/2023 17:44

I think it's much more likely she's lived there many a year and sometimes people just worry about change.

I'd reassure her you have planning permission and the distance should have minimal impact.

Perhaps soften things up by apologising for the mess and reassuring her it'll be finished by x date.

Whatever her reasons she's wrong - but it's not worth falling out umber unless she continues being a Wally!