House extension and how to tell next door

cannynotsay · 2025-10-02T19:13:40+00:00

So I’ve put in for planning permission today, and want to tell them myself before they get a letter. Any advice on what is the best approach as I know there not gonna be happy x

WonderingWanda · 02/10/2025 20:14

Why won't they be happy? Is it going to impact them?

Hotdoughnut · 02/10/2025 20:18

They dont get a letter. Signs will go up near your house and they'll see it that way.

You've already left it quite late. We met with our neighbours during the drawing up of the plans to show them what we were doing and to ask if they had any concerns. We then gave them a lot of wine during the build and offered to pay to have their windows cleaned at the end.

Hotdoughnut · 02/10/2025 20:19

Also how close are they? You need a party wall agreement if you're building within 3 metres

Doris86 · 02/10/2025 20:42

Hotdoughnut · 02/10/2025 20:18

They dont get a letter. Signs will go up near your house and they'll see it that way.

You've already left it quite late. We met with our neighbours during the drawing up of the plans to show them what we were doing and to ask if they had any concerns. We then gave them a lot of wine during the build and offered to pay to have their windows cleaned at the end.

They will get a letter. The planning department note which properties are directly impacted by planning applications and send them a letter to inform them.

i got a letter when the house at the end of my garden applied to build an extension.

Kwamitiki · 02/10/2025 20:45

We went round for a chat before we submitted, and showed them the plans. They were fab and actually sent a letter of support to the council when the notice went out!

We also kept the direct neighbours informed of what to expect and why. They have been wonderful throughout.

Our neighbours opposite also did similar, and spoke to all of the neighbours around them before submission. Again, it all went well.

Hotdoughnut · 02/10/2025 21:04

Doris86 · 02/10/2025 20:42

They will get a letter. The planning department note which properties are directly impacted by planning applications and send them a letter to inform them.

i got a letter when the house at the end of my garden applied to build an extension.

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Interesting, we've done 4 extensions (!) and our neighbours didn't get any letters.

Bluevelvetsofa · 02/10/2025 21:05

You’ll need to go round and show them your plans, but since you’ve already submitted them, they may not be best pleased, because it doesn’t give them an opportunity to discuss.

TheGoodEnoughWife · 02/10/2025 21:07

They are likely to get a letter. Our neighbours have extended twice and we got a letter each time. Some impact to us but not major. Now people over the road are extending and we have a letter about that. Zero impact on us!

I would knock and give them the heads up. No more needed than that.

CombatBarbie · 02/10/2025 21:10

Doris86 · 02/10/2025 20:42

They will get a letter. The planning department note which properties are directly impacted by planning applications and send them a letter to inform them.

i got a letter when the house at the end of my garden applied to build an extension.

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Our council stopped this about 3yrs ago. Only way to know is putting an alert on the council planning page.

BadgernTheGarden · 02/10/2025 21:11

We have always got a letter asking if we objected, which we never have. If there are objections the work may be delayed, but unless neighbours are badly affected in some specific way it usually goes through anyway. I think when we did our extension we mentioned it 'over the garden fence', but really not the neighbours business just courtesy to mention it, certainly didn't go round and show them the plans!

SeagullSam2027 · 02/10/2025 21:11

Bluevelvetsofa · 02/10/2025 21:05

You’ll need to go round and show them your plans, but since you’ve already submitted them, they may not be best pleased, because it doesn’t give them an opportunity to discuss.

No need to show them plans or discuss if it doesn't impact them. A simple heads up will suffice.

Ddakji · 02/10/2025 21:18

Hotdoughnut · 02/10/2025 21:04

Interesting, we've done 4 extensions (!) and our neighbours didn't get any letters.

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Bet they love you.

OP - the thing to remember is at the end of however many month’s of disruption, you end up with a lovely new extension. They end up with jack shit. Worse now that people WFH and not always through their own choice.

So I would absolutely speak to them personally and bend over backwards to maintain good relations with them.

Original poster

cannynotsay · 02/10/2025 21:24

Some good advice, they have been aware it’s an option and we’ve been looking into it, they know we’ve been looking to move but can’t find anywhere either. Neither of them work, there enjoying retirement. I feel bad, I’ll be home with a new baby too if we decide to go ahead with it all too.

OP posts:

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 02/10/2025 21:28

cannynotsay · 02/10/2025 21:24

Some good advice, they have been aware it’s an option and we’ve been looking into it, they know we’ve been looking to move but can’t find anywhere either. Neither of them work, there enjoying retirement. I feel bad, I’ll be home with a new baby too if we decide to go ahead with it all too.

In that case knock in their door and say

"Good news, we're not moving so we get to stay neighbours! Bad news, I hope you like noise, portaloos, vans parked down the street and skips. Cos were having an extension."

Then let off a party popper and leave

JadziaD · 02/10/2025 21:32

I don't really understand. is your extension goingt o impact them long term or is it just about the short term chaos of the work itself? If the former, then frankly, expect them to be pissed and it comes down to whether or not the council think they have a strong enough argument to say no.

If the latter, then go over there. Explain what you're doing. Apologise in advance for any disruption. Assure them your builders will be respect of appropraite hours for noise adn that any mess etc will be dealt with. Then stick to that. And follow up with wine and chocolate at the start and the end.

Notonthestairs · 02/10/2025 21:33

Take the plans around. Explain what you are doing. Likely time scales etc.
Tell them that you will keep them abreast of developments as far as you can and that you’ll respond to any complaints. Any problems you will deal with the builders to resolve them.

Most of all reassure them as best you can that you want a good relationship for the future.

DrPrunesqualer · 02/10/2025 22:06

Doris86 · 02/10/2025 20:42

They will get a letter. The planning department note which properties are directly impacted by planning applications and send them a letter to inform them.

i got a letter when the house at the end of my garden applied to build an extension.

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No
They don’t have to do that any more

DrPrunesqualer · 02/10/2025 22:13

I always advice clients to talk to neighbours before an application goes in as a matter of curtesy
and
so they can raise any concerns

Its a shame you didn’t !

so I suppose all that’s left is to show them what you’re hoping to do

nb. You may need a party wall agreement which must be agreed and in place prior to works start

Bluevelvetsofa · 02/10/2025 22:17

I think it’s inevitable that it will impact them @SeagullSam2027 because there will be noise and dust during the course of the build, so I think it’s courteous to show what you plan to do.

Zanatdy · 03/10/2025 05:53

Well it’s life, they can object if they like but you’re within your rights to extend their home. Do go round and tell them tonight though. Take the plans over and be prepared to answer questions. Better than them finding out via a knock on the door.

muddyford · 03/10/2025 06:16

Our neighbours came round and told us before the application went in.

EsmeWeatherwaxHatpin · 03/10/2025 06:19

We talked to our neighbours before putting planning in and showed them plans. They put a supportive comment on the planning portal for us. If you know yours will be upset have you spoken to them already or are you guessing?

Poppins2016 · 03/10/2025 06:27

Ddakji · 02/10/2025 21:18

Bet they love you.

OP - the thing to remember is at the end of however many month’s of disruption, you end up with a lovely new extension. They end up with jack shit. Worse now that people WFH and not always through their own choice.

So I would absolutely speak to them personally and bend over backwards to maintain good relations with them.

Edited

Show quote history

100% agree with this.

We endured noise and vibrations that went on and on. Dust. Dirty windows. Couldn't put washing out to dry on certain days. Had to hose down childrens things (due to dust) in the garden before they could play. Parking inconvenience. I was also in the latter stage of maternity leave (therefore should have ideally enjoyed staying at home during the day if I wanted to, rather than leaving the house due to noise and dust).

Our neighbours are now enjoying their beautiful new home but didn't even give us a bunch of flowers and a card to thank us for enduring it, let alone offer to pay for window cleaning (which would have been much appreciated). We haven't even had a verbal thank you. I'm still holding a grudge even though they're nice and I like them.

Rollercoaster1920 · 03/10/2025 09:46

Why do you want to let them know now?

You are telling them you've submitted plans. What do you expect them to do and feel?

I had a neighbour do this and it's insulting. You are letting them know you've decided to submit plans but haven't thought to consider neighbours at all beforehand. So no input into those plans is possible apart from commenting on the planning applications which is usually taken as antagonistic/causing difficulties by the person that submitted them (ironically)

A previous poster has said the time to talk to them is before you draw up plans and submit, so any concerns can be resolved in the plans you go ahead with (or not - your prerogative). it saves a lot of stress for both sides, and saves time and money for the submitter - simple thing can be resolved early before plans are drawn and redrawn by architects, or planning is refused.

YABU here!

Fridgemanageress · 03/10/2025 10:46

Hotdoughnut · 02/10/2025 20:18

They dont get a letter. Signs will go up near your house and they'll see it that way.

You've already left it quite late. We met with our neighbours during the drawing up of the plans to show them what we were doing and to ask if they had any concerns. We then gave them a lot of wine during the build and offered to pay to have their windows cleaned at the end.

In our borough, we get a letter telling us which number house has applied, look it up on line and object if u want, and the objections are public to the people asking permission