The utility does
Extension cost.
- Thread starter pete01
- Start date
If it's the sole source of light to the kitchen that adjoins that utility room then I suppose they could argue that it is indirectly a window to a habitable room.
But if it hasn't been there for 20 years then that may mean it has no right to light anyway. In which case who knows... should it be assessed based on where their kitchen window was before they built the utility onto it? Edit: Or is this window their original kitchen window? In which case it's a habitable room despite the new internal wall if it's a wall that allows light through.
Is this a planning permission application? If so speak to them. I had objections to mine, with a list of tenuous nonsense reasons for objections. I phoned the planning officer, I just asked if it made any difference to anything. He said no, it's still being approved. So I didn't need to bother even thinking about their arguments, just ignore it and move on.
But if it hasn't been there for 20 years then that may mean it has no right to light anyway. In which case who knows... should it be assessed based on where their kitchen window was before they built the utility onto it? Edit: Or is this window their original kitchen window? In which case it's a habitable room despite the new internal wall if it's a wall that allows light through.
Is this a planning permission application? If so speak to them. I had objections to mine, with a list of tenuous nonsense reasons for objections. I phoned the planning officer, I just asked if it made any difference to anything. He said no, it's still being approved. So I didn't need to bother even thinking about their arguments, just ignore it and move on.
Thats the house and the circled window into a utility is what they think it might block...
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
What height are you building up to? Also how far out? If it's a single storey but with a pitch running up to just under your upstairs window sills then they'll lose a fair bit of light.
But... don't you have a similar window that the side of their building blocks? Don't all the houses in your street have a similar situation? The only reason they have light is because the row happens to be staggered here. Also they've built an extension that's up to their upstairs window sills so they're trying to stop you doing exactly what they've already done.
I'd hope that planning will politely say they've weighed everything up and they can stick their stupid objection where the sun doesn't shine.
But... don't you have a similar window that the side of their building blocks? Don't all the houses in your street have a similar situation? The only reason they have light is because the row happens to be staggered here. Also they've built an extension that's up to their upstairs window sills so they're trying to stop you doing exactly what they've already done.
I'd hope that planning will politely say they've weighed everything up and they can stick their stupid objection where the sun doesn't shine.
the £2k/sqm rule above is about right in most of the uk from what ive seen. thing that catches owners out is whats actually inside the £45k, if its brickwork, roof, windows, bifolds and plastering as quoted thats fine, but double check whether electrics first fix, plumbing first fix and screed are in or extra. a lot of extensions get quoted at one price for the shell and then second fix (bathroom, kitchen, flooring, decorating) is still to come. ive been on jobs as a bathroom fitter where the owner thought it was turnkey and ended up with another 10-15k to find after. worth asking the builder for a line-by-line of whats in and whats out, saves arguments later.
Pitch would go upto benth the windows.
4m roughly to the wall
Its been bricked up
Yes but theirs isnt 4m....I still think it's petty.
Me too, but we've changed it now and we are gonna go for a 3m less hassle....can that be objected to?
I'd say you've backed down too easily. Is this formal planning permission or just informal permitted development? Is their objection a letter or just something they've said to you?
I found planning really good when I dealt with them. In my case I think the people raising petty objections merely wound them up, and made them more determined to say my application was fine.
The fact that your house back wall is recessed relative to theirs should be an advantage to you, not a disadvantage. I'd say you should be able to build out level with their back extension.
I like what they've done with their extension, with the hipped/bevelled edges. This was probably done more to appease their other neighbour, as they'd have been near or up to the boundary on their side. Their other neighbour will now be in relative darkness, while they're trying to stop you doing something that affects them much less.
Your potential issues are with your other neighbour. They do have a right to light, so you'd need to check the 45 degree rule from their back windows.
Yep, they've been on to them, we now have 2 objections
If you're doing what the neighbours have already done then there's a precedent being set so it's difficult for them to say no to you.
Talk to planning. Don't tell them what to do, ask them what they think. There's a good chance they think it's all fine.
Objections aren't votes - you could have 10 against, nobody in favour and get permission. All they can do is raise issues for planning to consider. Planning will have almost always already considered every point they raise anyway, so objections are generally pointless unless they raise a matter that isn't generally known, e.g. someone is running a business from there, an unregistered HMO or whatever.
Talk to planning. Don't tell them what to do, ask them what they think. There's a good chance they think it's all fine.
Objections aren't votes - you could have 10 against, nobody in favour and get permission. All they can do is raise issues for planning to consider. Planning will have almost always already considered every point they raise anyway, so objections are generally pointless unless they raise a matter that isn't generally known, e.g. someone is running a business from there, an unregistered HMO or whatever.
There is no precedent in planing law and planners will ignore it if it suits them.
Planners also take note of what they think neighbours ought to say: I've had a few instances over the years where neighbours were all in favour of the proposal but planning was still refused.
So, can a 3m be objected to?
Another update if anyone cares...
The adjoining neighbour don't have a problem and will not be objecting, the neighbours that don't join have objected.
Whats our chances of the 4m, Now do we think?
The adjoining neighbour don't have a problem and will not be objecting, the neighbours that don't join have objected.
Whats our chances of the 4m, Now do we think?
Stick to your guns. Planning don't just refuse whatever you submit, if they think that 4m isn't OK but 3m is then they'll give you an opportunity to change the plans and will then approve the amended plans.
But chances are they'll just say it's fine at 4m. They're used to reading whining objections about planning applications, it's not a popularity contest. They'll just assess it against their normal guidelines. The officer's report will probably say that they will lose some light but it's tough (in a more diplomatic way than me).
Keep us informed!
But chances are they'll just say it's fine at 4m. They're used to reading whining objections about planning applications, it's not a popularity contest. They'll just assess it against their normal guidelines. The officer's report will probably say that they will lose some light but it's tough (in a more diplomatic way than me).
Keep us informed!
Send boo boo around to sort them out?
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