DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

A neighbour next door to us would like to build a 'side' conservatory. He let the cat out of the bag by saying that he will be using this as a 'bedroom' as his only got a small one bedroom house is this illegal ? The 'conservatory' will be 2.8m long & 3.2m high with all 3 sides built of brick with a polycarbonate roof but with no real kind of 'normal' conservatory windows. I'm also thinking it not that great seeing our neighbour laying in his bed from my upstairs bedroom window!!!! The plans also show that he wants to build right on the boundary line. Our property is offset by 112cm from the corner of his, so by building the conservatory we would have close to 4m of brick wall & a 3.2m height level right next to our kitchen door on the boundary line is this illegal? Our rear garden is very small so we only receive a 6 hour window of sunlight in the half area the of garden, but by building this conservatory we would only have a small area of sunlight before disappearing behind this conservatory then his house when the sun travels west after 5pm. Also on the boundary line is a man hole cover under the fence almost 4/5 of it on his side where he wants to build what's the story there ? One last thing the plans show that on the boundary line 1/4 of our 2m high fence would be knocked down can they do this? Do you think he will get planning permission ?????

i suggest that you look up the building regs for your district, and if you can , find out who is constructing the proposed building, to find out the regs on how close to your boundary they can go. BE NOSY, BUT CAREFUL.

marknhs

He may not require planning consent as there are a range of permitted development rights that most properties have. This will vary from local authority to local authority, so best give them a call.

Conservatories do not require building regulations approval unless they are over 30sqm on plan. It is not however lawful to use a conservatory as habitable accommodation.

If he is excavating for foundations within 3m of your property and to an assumed greater depth, he will need to serve notice under the Party Wall etc Act 1996. You can appoint your own surveyor to check the plans and ensure that all necessary consents have been given and under normal circumstances, your neighbour will cover the surveyors fee.


Hope this helps.

LCL