Any idea what this could be?

[AuntieMarys]

The neighbours have been busy while we were away...shed/ pergola/ summerhouse?
We will obviously ask them later but am interested in what the overall height will be as its so close to our boundary

OP says her rough measurements are 8 foot 6 inches, which puts it pretty much bang on the 2.5 meters permitted development. Sounds as though this isn’t a DIY job as there are builders in, so I really really doubt they have made a kindergarten error such as going a few inches over what is allowed. Metal beams by the looks of it which were likely delivered cut to a certain length such as 2.4 meters.

Even if the OP has some superhuman ability to measure height whilst leaning over a hedge to
the nearest millimetre, is it going to be worth sticking your beak in and annoying everyone for the sake of something that is the width of your hand too high? Really? As for the boundary it’s allowed to be. Again, if overhanging by a few mm’s the advice is go have an argument and fall out with the neighbours?

If you got your facts right....I did not bend over the hedge to measure. Clothes prop against fence and a tape measure 😀
It's a fucking ugly construction at the end of the day. Especially as the corrugated roof is going on. Like a shanty town.

And you’ve got a measurement of ‘roughly’ 8 foot six however you’ve gone about it which is marginally outside of what’s allowed assuming that you’ve measured from the highest point of land on any of the four sides. It might be over from where you’ve done it, but if there is a piece of land at any point around the structure that is 4 inches higher than where you’ve measured then it’s within permissible development. The legal position is that it’s from the highest point of land adjacent to the building.

What you do or don’t consider to be fucking ugly is of no consequence whatsoever. I would be 99% certain that what they are doing is legal, and if marginally not, the council and building regs department aren’t racing out to question a knuckles worth of height on a garden shed. If they’d put up a two story sports complex with swimming pool whilst you were away then I’d say march down the council and fill your boots, but for this one you need to stop with the curtain twitching and get on with your life.

If it does need PP, it's appearance is definitely something that will be taken into account.

I would say that the measurement OP has taken, is definitely close enough to warrant a call to the planning office. Putting a roof on will increase the height.

Over 30 years experience in planning and that photo, coupled with a BH weekend job, would 100% ring alarm bells with me.

Thank you.

You clearly have lower standards than I do.

Maybe. Point still stands though, what you consider to be nice is of no consequence here to how your neighbours want to enjoy their property. For me I’m not falling out with the people next door over a bit of extra height on a shed. If you want to that’s you’re prerogative I suppose.

I wasn't talking about your building.

Is that concrete base new as well? Looks like all the water from that will go into their neighbour's gardens too.

Yes was put down about 6 months ago. It's a very small space

Be intrigued to see what it looks like when finished. What will you do OP?

I know you weren’t. You said the below in response to my question as to why it was any of the OP’s business:

“Because you are not allowed to let runoff from your roof drain onto someone else's property. The edge of the roof has to be sufficiently within your boundary (including any gutters & downpipes) that the runoff goes onto your own property. That includes a 'permitted development'.”

My question back to you is how do you know that is what they are doing? I’m also pointing out you are incorrect in saying that the edge of the roof needs to be sufficiently within your property, and it is perfectly reasonable to build the edge of the roof to the millimetre of the boundary. Not all roof edges have guttering as per my building where three of the four edges have ridges that push the rain water back onto the roof where the gradient makes it run to the back where the gutter is. I suspect that is what will happen here so no, there won’t be any gutter overhang.

@NonmagicMike it is clear from the photo that the upright structural post is already flush against the OP's fence, so any kind of roof that goes on will inevitably overhang the OP's property. One is not supposed to do that.

Not necessarily. You can put a roof on that stops dead in line with the wall, especially for a garden shed type structure. Hopefully OP will post up the finished article and then it’ll be easier to pass comment.

The posts are a good 6-8 inch away from the fence line plenty of space to get a gutter on. Although it would be much easier to have the fall down to the front and have the gutter on there. Easy to fix on / clean out and just have it into a water butt.

The back 2 posts are 3 inches away from our fence line. No room for a water butt or even access to clean any gutter.

What a shame they didn't talk to you first, looks like they are going to a lot of expense and time to make the most of that awkward space. I hate confrontation but this would likely really upset me, unless you've got a huge plot and it can't generally be seen from the house or main garden area. I'm not sure what others are looking at it's clearly butting up to the fence and the clip things on top suggest it'll be even higher. Invite them into your garden to see how it looks from your side.

Well it will soon be finished and hopefully we’ll be able to see the finished product. The OP could mention to the builders that she’s clocked the height already and knows what it permitted. “Is that going to be under 2.5m with the roof on?” But as NonMagicMike says, what’s the point in falling out over 10cm anyway? It’s not blocking the view.

Between that post behind the lilac and the middle post on the shed is a lot more than 2 or 3 inches. If it’s a tin roof, they’ll be able to walk on it to clean the gutter.

View from our settee/ dining table. It's so close to our living area.
Another issue...we are planning to sell this year. Not exactly a great selling point !! Dh is looking at trees/ bushes to plant there to try and hide it.
Thank you for all your comments...it has really upset me .

I would be annoyed too!

It looks like a bus stop.

The whole pergola thing made me laugh.

I mean, who concretes over their entire garden and then puts up a pergoda made out of structural steel ?

I would probably just grow a load of plants along the border to screen it off.

It’s all a bit weird. Why is the OP’s decking so high? Why have low fence panels that are easily overlooked?
Maybe the neighbour has been inspired by ‘The Restorers’ and is building a workshop for a new hobby?
It does look a bit prominent. We should have the finished article by the weekend though!

I'd be inclined to raise the fence alongside the structure and up to the deck area to block the whole thing out. Will cost, but you won't see the shed thinggy anymore from the living area.