Wrap around? No planning permission

[Twins2000]

Hi all

I have a semi that we completed a side extension with planning permission 15years ago. My neighbours have built (are building) what I would class as a wrap around extension (full width of rear of the house, 4 metres out and then going down the side to the end of our extension) with no planning permission or PD. I can also assume the did not apply for prior approval either as we have not been consulted/approached by planning. The only reason they told us was because they are building onto our side extension and the party wall act. They made it clear they did not need any planning. I have no issues with them building, however they appear to be doing what they wish.
My concern is do the builders actually know what they are doing?if the do not know the rules and have told them they did not need planning permission or prior approval? They seem to be just doing what the want and changing the original drawing as they go. I don’t think they had an architect in just some basic plans on the computer. If there is with no planning permission does this impact on our house/insurance etc if there was an issue as I really worry that they have not followed guidance.
Thanks

 

[Notch7]

That is not permitted development, it absolutely needs full planning.

you could start by checking your local council website and do a planning search for your postcode.

A planning application has a public consultation stage, where neighbours, parish council etc are informed to comment, so you would have been sent something along with other neighbours.

have you signed a party wall agreement?

 

[Twins2000]

Yes only because I told them they needed one… it’s very basic though and wonder if I should have insisted on more in it.
There are no applications on planning only the building control one where they come out to look at foundations.

 

[Twins2000]

Will them having no planning permission impact on our property?

 

[sxturbo]

Will them having no planning permission impact on our property?

If the builders are idiots then yes.

They should have building control round at various stages to ensure the work is to regs.

As has been stated, their extension is not PD.

If knocking walls about they will be needing steels and structural engineer calcs etc which building control will need to sign off.

It could be a potentially dangerous situation.

 

[Twins2000]

Will the building control people not pick up that there is no planning permission?

How should I approach this - speak to my neighbours first and see if they are actually aware?

 

[sxturbo]

Will the building control people not pick up that there is no planning permission?

How should I approach this - speak to my neighbours first and see if they are actually aware?

It sounds like your neighbours are already aware, and are trying to fly under the radar.

BC will expect planning permission, not sure if they need proof or not, but I would assume so.

Your neighbours have no intention of getting BC involved, evidence by the fact they refuse to apply for planning.

Persy I would do them in anonymously... Whether you stay anonymous for long though I couldn't say.

It's a very difficult situation as you have to live next to them.

It's not that you have an issue with the extension, but you want to ensure it is done correctly

 

[mrrusty]

There are no applications on planning only the building control one where they come out to look at foundations.

So they have BC involved - that's the main issue - it should at least be properly constructed. BC don't necessarily need plans at all - the builder may be working on a building notice. In my experience BC don't really care about planning.

The planning is only an issue if you want to make it one. It won't affect your house/insurance. Provided that what they are building is reasonable looking and there are no other issues, I say live and let live - it's their risk if it gets picked up later.

 

[^woody^]

My concern is do the builders actually know what they are doing?if the do not know the rules and have told them they did not need planning permission or prior approval?

That's not the builders job. The homeowner is responsible for finding out and applying for planning permission, and if the homeowner wants to proceed without it, then that is no concern of the builders.

Knowing about planning permission is not the same as knowing about building, and builders can be good or crap irrespective of what they know about planning ..... or building.

You should be concerned about any attaching of the extension to your wall, and don't expect the council's building control inspector to be looking out for your interests. That wall could be built attached to your wall under the building regulations, but could still contravene your rights under other civil or property law, and impact you and your property (and future sale/value) and still get building control approval

 

[Twins2000]

Thanks, yes my concern is that it attached to my wall and forms part of my boundary line. Happy for them to have the extension as long as it’s not to any detriment to my property. Mmm not sure how to proceed now? What’s the worst that can happen if I ignore it?

 

[JP_]

Making a detached house into a semi will reduce the value of your property.
But as you built to the boundary there may be nothing you can do about that anyway.
You could say to them that they need planning permission to attach their house to yours. It will then be obvious that you reject it, and things might get nasty, and then it gets passed anyway.

 

[cdbe]

Worst case is that they'll push their luck even further, as people do when they think they're getting away with it. You could end up with something even bigger/taller etc which is probably more difficult to fight when built. Regardless of the wrap-around complication, PD only allows 3m out on the back of a semi - this is one of the most well known basics of PD, confront them politely and say you know this because friends and relatives have been caught out by this and have had to apply for PP. Tell them (if you are) that you're happy with their proposal and will not object, but would be happier (given that they have already"got it wrong") if it is formalised in a planning application.

 

[Twins2000]

Worst case is that they'll push their luck even further, as people do when they think they're getting away with it. You could end up with something even bigger/taller etc which is probably more difficult to fight when built. Regardless of the wrap-around complication, PD only allows 3m out on the back of a semi - this is one of the most well known basics of PD, confront them politely and say you know this because friends and relatives have been caught out by this and have had to apply for PP. Tell them (if you are) that you're happy with their proposal and will not object, but would be happier (given that they have already"got it wrong") if it is formalised in a planning application.

See I must admit I thought it was 4metres -

 

[cdbe]

3 semi, 4 detached. Rubbish really, by the time you've built a 300mm thick cavity wall it's all a bit narrow.