Planning to build another house on my property - do I tell the neighbours yet?

[WhereAreMyBloodyKeys]

I've been talking informally with the local planning authority about building an additional dwelling on my property. They're enthusiastic.

I haven't talked with my neighbours about my idea yet, because I don't want to unsettle them over something that may come to nothing. If I get to the point of feeling fairly certain this idea has legs, then I thought I'd spend some time talking with them all and taking on board any concerns they may have.

However, as part of looking at how viable this project is, the planners have suggested I have a speed survey done on the road at the bottom of the driveway we all share, to establish if the visibility is satisfactory. The equipment for this and its position are going to be conspicuous enough to fuel gossip about who on the driveway is planning what. Bugger.

Is it better that I very vaguely talk to my neighbours before the equipment is put in position - along the lines of, "I've been talking with the planners informally about some ideas I have for the house, and they have suggested this survey is done." Or should I keep quiet and a low profile until I have something concrete to talk to them about?

I don't want to unduly give them something to worry about/the chance to formulate any objections before I've even had a plan drawn up! And I don't want to be deceitful either - and them just worry anyway by filling in the gaps.

They are lovely neighbours, so I want to handle this right. WWYD? Thanks.

When you formally apply for planning permission the planning authority will notify all the neigbours anyway. They will have the chance to object (or support!) your application.

I would tell them.
i) it seems polite
ii) let's them know you want/value their input (less likely to object
iii) if they make it clear that they will object you can think about that before you waste money getting plans drawn etc...

Be clear with them that it's just an idea and probably won't go ahead so that they don't feel threatened.

If they see that equipment before you speak to them they will think you are already agreed planning etc without talking to them and it might get their backs up. Neighbours can be pretty influential in planning decisions.

I would tell them you are in the early stages of assessing the viability of any such plan. If they see people out in hi-vis vests with clipboards it inevitably will set tongues wagging and perhaps create a fall out you could easily avoid. Would you sell with pp or build it yourself (wonder if they might prefer the latter rather than fear the unknown)?

You are very likely to get permission if the local office are sounding positive.I wold mention it so that it doesn't come as a shock when they recieve notice.Will it impact them in any way?

Thanks for posting.

I will tell them over the next couple of days then. Gulp! Better in person (I might bodge this trying to find the right words) or via a carefully worded email to them all?

At this stage, I'd like to keep it as vague as possible. But I guess I can't avoid saying that I'm looking into adding a property, can I?

I would plan to organise the build myself.

Impact-wise, the only significant impact is an extra dwelling's worth of traffic on the driveway. The design and position of the new dwelling would be such that no one would be overlooked, no light would be blocked out, etc.

defo consult now with them if they are friendly and you feel confident that your plan wont over look them etc?

if you are planning to build and stay in your existing homw it should reassure them that you wouldnt put something in that you are not happy to live with

There are only certain valid grounds on which neighbours can object anyway. These will be listed on the notice they receive from the planning office.

Who owns the drive? Do you or do you have a right of way? Does your right of way allow for an extra house? Are there any covenants your neighbours could rely on to stop a build? Sorry if I am stating the obvious but property law issues are completely separate from planning.