Big trees and extension

[PumpingRSI]

We have a house where there are v mature trees (and not the crappy conifer types) in neighbours gardens right on our boundaries.

I'm assuming this comprises somewhat our options for extensions. Do we have to stay away from where their roots are? Can we put alternative foundations in which are less damaging?

As there are mature trees on the edge of everything I worry it's really limiting options.

Depends on where the roots run and if the tree is subject to a tree protection order. If you aren't actually going to damage the tree by digging them you may need to dig foundations deeper to prevent subsidence (a structural engineer will tell you how deep).

I hope you'll try to protect any trees in the vicinity as we desperately need to keep tree cover where we can

We had to keep our extension 20 metres from a big tree.