Neighbour building summerhouse on my boundary

Mumteedum · 2024-05-19T10:24:39+00:00

Builders are here right now which I'm already pissed off about. I knew they were building a summerhouse but no idea it was going to be as big. It's the entire width of their garden along my fence. My fence sits on a retaining wall and I'll need to replace the posts at some point soon as they've cracked. I'm wondering if they caused this when they took the trees out. Do you think I'll have issues with water? It's a pitched roof. It's above my fence height. I'm just wondering about it rotting my fence with bits between their structure and my fence. I'm really stressed and unwell with chronic illness. It's a beautiful day and I'm hiding indoors.

Zonder · 19/05/2024 11:26

Do they have planning permission? I don't know if they need it for a summer house but maybe for something big.

Original poster

Mumteedum · 19/05/2024 11:28

No. They did for their extension they just finished. But this wasn't on the plan. It's two rooms.

OP posts:

SeatonCarew · 19/05/2024 11:30

It sounds quite large, it may constitute overdevelopment of the site. I'd check that, and the rules on sheds and summerhouses.

Floralnomad · 19/05/2024 11:31

Just go out and tell them to make sure that any water runoff lands in their own garden , we did when our neighbours built their garden shelter and they moved the whole thing a couple of inches in to make sure .

Walkden · 19/05/2024 11:32

It's only permitted development if it less than half the size of the garden ( original plot) but Any decking etc counts towards the half being developed, and must be less than 2.5m tall as it is close to the boundary.

It may be they got pp though

The water run off needs to go on their side not yours and technically and gutters etc should also be on the land and not overhang your fence.

Original poster

Mumteedum · 19/05/2024 12:16

Walkden · 19/05/2024 11:32

It's only permitted development if it less than half the size of the garden ( original plot) but Any decking etc counts towards the half being developed, and must be less than 2.5m tall as it is close to the boundary.

It may be they got pp though

The water run off needs to go on their side not yours and technically and gutters etc should also be on the land and not overhang your fence.

Edited

We're on a hill and my fence sits on the retaining wall so I'm not sure if it'll run off onto that height or the height of their garden. If it runs onto that wall then it will soak the base of my fence.

OP posts:

Original poster

Mumteedum · 19/05/2024 12:18

Walkden · 19/05/2024 11:32

It's only permitted development if it less than half the size of the garden ( original plot) but Any decking etc counts towards the half being developed, and must be less than 2.5m tall as it is close to the boundary.

It may be they got pp though

The water run off needs to go on their side not yours and technically and gutters etc should also be on the land and not overhang your fence.

Edited

I'd say it takes up just under half and then hotub plus existing decking. There's not much grass or planting left.

I'm so stressed, I can't bear to ask them as I think I'm going to cry. I know it sounds ridiculous but I just feel so unwell.

OP posts:

IwishLifeWasDull · 19/05/2024 12:18

Sorry this is happening OP.
I don't understand why people get a summer house? What are they even for.

MollyButton · 19/05/2024 12:22

Report to your planning department tomorrow. Also how close does it get to your house?
Because if it's close they should have sought permission under the party wall act and I think they would have had to find your surveyor (even if it was a permitted development)

purplehue · 19/05/2024 12:26

Speak to the council and they will come round and look at what they have planned to see if it's ok etc.

Original poster

Mumteedum · 19/05/2024 12:26

IwishLifeWasDull · 19/05/2024 12:18

Sorry this is happening OP.
I don't understand why people get a summer house? What are they even for.

Thank you.

I have a horrible feeling it'll be for their business

OP posts:

Original poster

Mumteedum · 19/05/2024 12:29

MollyButton · 19/05/2024 12:22

Report to your planning department tomorrow. Also how close does it get to your house?
Because if it's close they should have sought permission under the party wall act and I think they would have had to find your surveyor (even if it was a permitted development)

It's about 2.5m tops I'd guess.

OP posts:

NonmagicMike · 19/05/2024 12:29

I think you are getting worked up about non issues. You can get roofing fittings that deflect all the water back onto the roof. When I built mine, three sides have this and the back wall has the gutter. All the rain water gets pushed there. My neighbour did come out and ask and I was more than happy to discuss with her, so if you can go chat to the builders perhaps to ask? In terms of rotting your fence, again, doubt very much it’s going to be an issue. The rain water would go there anyway regardless off the building. Won’t cause increase fall there unless they are deliberately going to angle the roof there. There are regulations about not covering more than 50% of your land with buildings under permitted development, but hard to picture what you are presented with.

Skybluepinky · 19/05/2024 12:29

Speak to council, it has to be a certain distance from the boundary.

TemuSpecialBuy · 19/05/2024 12:31

In london / england they HAVE to leave at least 50cm from bpundary for maintenance.

Google the relevant policy on your lo al boroughs website and go round and stop them now before its built.

Report urgently to planning teams tomorrow

Blackcats7 · 19/05/2024 12:33

I was speaking to a surveyor who specialises in boundary disputes recently and he was telling me of a recent case where the neighbour had built a car port right up to the boundary and the water then ran off on to his customer’s wall. It caused huge damp and went to court and the car port building neighbour had to pay up for all damage caused.

Original poster

Mumteedum · 19/05/2024 12:33

@NonmagicMike I hope so. It's just really intrusive and all weekend, with no heads up..after months of living with their extension building work. I've just had enough. I'm not coping with the noise and intrusion this weekend. I desperately wanted to rest in my garden today. The concern over the actual structure and what they'll use it for is just another worry.

OP posts:

filingpapers · 19/05/2024 12:35

I very much doubt the builders are allowed to work on a Sunday. They usually need to stop quite early on a Saturday as well.

Another reason to ring the council.

IwishLifeWasDull · 19/05/2024 12:36

Keep a noise and work log OP. Send everything to the council.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/05/2024 12:37

Walkden · 19/05/2024 11:32

It's only permitted development if it less than half the size of the garden ( original plot) but Any decking etc counts towards the half being developed, and must be less than 2.5m tall as it is close to the boundary.

It may be they got pp though

The water run off needs to go on their side not yours and technically and gutters etc should also be on the land and not overhang your fence.

Edited

I doubt if "PP" was applied for or required but best to check.

With "pp" if applied next door is usually advised.

We would not be happy but its on their land and their choice as long as its within the rules

Look at like this OP - the development increases the price of the property and often the ceiling price on the road

you may one day want to extend or people you sell too

IMO, they have done nothing wrong but it never hurts to check

Seeline · 19/05/2024 12:37

Walkden · 19/05/2024 11:32

It's only permitted development if it less than half the size of the garden ( original plot) but Any decking etc counts towards the half being developed, and must be less than 2.5m tall as it is close to the boundary.

It may be they got pp though

The water run off needs to go on their side not yours and technically and gutters etc should also be on the land and not overhang your fence.

Edited

It's less than 50% of the 'curtilage' which means the whole plot - front and back garden.

Seeline · 19/05/2024 12:39

TemuSpecialBuy · 19/05/2024 12:31

In london / england they HAVE to leave at least 50cm from bpundary for maintenance.

Google the relevant policy on your lo al boroughs website and go round and stop them now before its built.

Report urgently to planning teams tomorrow

Edited

There is no such restriction under the permitted development regulations. The whole structure has to be within the boundary of the property, but can be right up to the boundary, although other restrictions differ depending on how close to the boundary the structure is eg height.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 19/05/2024 12:40

filingpapers · 19/05/2024 12:35

I very much doubt the builders are allowed to work on a Sunday. They usually need to stop quite early on a Saturday as well.

Another reason to ring the council.

You are correct re "builders" - but the owners and friends can do DIY I'm pretty certain of that - but op can complain and see where it gets them

TemuSpecialBuy · 19/05/2024 12:41

Seeline · 19/05/2024 12:39

There is no such restriction under the permitted development regulations. The whole structure has to be within the boundary of the property, but can be right up to the boundary, although other restrictions differ depending on how close to the boundary the structure is eg height.

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Interesting... maybe we just have thoughtful neighbours and a thoughtful builder 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry for the duff info OP

TeaandScandal · 19/05/2024 12:42

purplehue · 19/05/2024 12:26

Speak to the council and they will come round and look at what they have planned to see if it's ok etc.

Yes, this.
It almost certainly needs planning permission.