Wish

iTrader: (2)

I've tonight got home to a letter from the local planning authority. My neighbours side on to me want to put dormer windows to the rear and front roof of there property. Now if they did this we would have no privacy in our garden at all. Is this a planning issue I can bring up?
This would be the first house on our estate that would have the roof conversation.
I'm so annoyed as 2 years ago our neighbour to the other side of us got planning for a 5 bed house with triple garage in his back garden again over looking us

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

They must have rear windows already so how will dormers intrude?

TX.

FlightMan

What are you getting up to in your back garden?

Wish

iTrader: (2)

We have a large hedge which protects half the garden currently. But with windows in the roof we will be fully exposed.

FlightMan

You're exposing yourself in the garden?

hodgy0_2

go to war and plant some Leylandii


tell them to "ave some of that"

GlesgaKiss

Jesus h christ. ^^^^ Is that real?

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

Say your not happy. I'm sure when a request goes in if one person says no then it's rejected.

Wish

iTrader: (2)

Really

mart360

In a nutshell,

privacy has nothing to do with it, its a planning / building consent.

if it meets planning regs, then it will be approved, privacy has no impact on a building application ..

Trust me ive been there. twice... and lost both times.

IF however the building will significantly reduce the amount of light entering your property, then you will have grounds to object

Mart

Wish

iTrader: (2)

As I thought... The only thing I can do is go with the "not in keeping" with the area ?

Don't hold much hope.

Hanley

So someone would be able to see in your garden.....so what!!

You don't have a divine right to a completely private garden, besides I'm sure your neighbours have better things to do than sit and wait to see you and your missus in the garden - unless she is fit then we'll need pics to measure the degree of response

RobsyUK

iTrader: (2)

I'm sure there is something that if a neighbour has a good reason then they look into it. Same with building extensions. If it blocks neighbours sun light the neighbour can say they don't want it. Best bet is read the notice ( outside on a lamp post) and contact the council and say "my minds telling me no.. But my body, my body is telling me yeahhhhh '

Saxo Boy

Overlooking is a valid ground of objection. However, it is highly unlikely to be regarded as significant in the case of a dormer addition when the buildings are adjacent to each other.

The key consideration is to what degree the overlooking would be unavoidable. In other words, if the occupant of the room would have a view of your garden from most positions within the room then there may be a issue. However, with normal second floor windows or dormers this is unlikely to be the case.

Planning cannot protect against deliberate overlooking. If your neighbour wants to watch you he/she will find a way to do it. The purpose of planning control as it relates to overlooking is to prevent a situation where privacy cannot be expected during normal use of the room.

Hope that makes sense.

Wish

iTrader: (2)

Thanks saxo boy. It what I thought.

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

The most you could probably hope for is to get the neighbours to substitute the dormers for velux roof lights. Despite what others have said above, I feel your pain. I hate the feeling of being overlooked when in the garden and deliberately bought a house that was as little overlooked as possible. For houses/extensions to be built up around me would make me want to move.

Dingdongler

They are more likely to get problems getting permission for the front dormers than the back as these are more frowned upon, especially if nobody else on the street has them.

The rears will impact on your privacy though, I've had a ruddy great dormer put on the back of my house and now can see much more of my neighbour's garden.

If you want to oppose the plans (and consider if you do really want to upset your neighbour) than make sure you do it on proper grounds.

I often read the local planning applications on line and the opposition letters are also printed there. People write all sorts of reasons like 'the builders will cause noise/dirt and I work nightshifts etc' These are not reasons that can be used.

Look on line for planning applications and see the ones that your council have rejected. They will have given reasons with reference to which part of their planning policy the proposed plans contravene. This will give you an idea whether your neighbours plans might also contravene them in some other way (other than just privacy to your garden)

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Fpmsl at that

TX.