Neighbour has objected

[Mart_]

First time ever to submit to planning and was looking to see what your thoughts were. Our architect seems to think the objections are unfounded.

Neighbour objects for 1) overdevelopment, 2) badly designed and 3) overlooking

With regards to double storey, that's only the cut out, and as for overlooking its mainly a road.

In the attached pic, the left side shows now and the right side the proposal. With the red arrow defining the neighbours plot and green arrow defining ours.

One thing to note, to show compromise the dorma roof has been altered (pitched) which to be honest looks better.

The alteration doesn't seem to have done the trick with the neighbour, however the application hasn't been objected (as of yet)

We spoke to all neighbours before submitting (including this neighbour and she had no issues)

Grateful for thoughts and the likely hood we will have rethink. Thanks

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Hmm, could you not have done a dormer on the existing side under Permitted Development (and left it off the planning application) and done a hip end on the new end? I can see there'd be cost savings the way you've done it.

 

[DevilDamo]

Does your LPA have any guidance in extensions to appear subservient so the new first floor side extension is set down from the existing ridge (and set back from the existing front wall assuming there is no set back at present)?

LPA’s generally detest dormers, especially those to the rear as they pose increased overlooking at a higher level and ‘normally’ into neighbours’ gardens. This is why many people try to utilise their PD rights, which FMT has mentioned.

Out of interest, why is only that side of the house being extended or altered? Are you possibly thinking of creating some kind of annexe?

 

[Mart_]

Hi and thanks for the replies.

We are hoping to create an additional 2 bedrooms at the side of the house and downstairs will be a garden/family room with a floating corner post where the two sets of bi-folds meet.

No sure re: LPA guidance, that's with the architect who I'll be speaking with tomorrow hopefully.

The neighbours garden is already overlooked by our existing bedrooms.

What is to stop us shelving the loft part of this extension and doing it in the existing part of the house at a later date? Only reason we are doing it this way is because of cost whilst building vs retro cost.

Objection letter has now been posted, redacted by the counsel. (thanks again for looking)

 

[DevilDamo]

Without knowing the Planning history for your property and/or the site, the chances are that yours and other properties were built at the same time of which overlooking and privacy wouldn’t have come into it. Any further extensions or additions would be determined via varying Planning policies.

It does appear from the objection letter that their main issues are in relation to the dormer and its overlooking/overbearing impact. By removing the dormer should mitigate those concerns but bear in mind an objection does not mean Planning will be refused. On the other hand, if you had a letter of support does not mean Planning will be approved. Your dialog should be with the Planning Officer and address the concerns they may have. Btw, some of the wording used in that objection comes across from somebody who is quite familiar with Planning policy. Unless they have just copied and pasted parts of it from other Planning decisions.

Providing you have PD rights, then yes... you could add a dormer to the rear without formal Planning and it could still have a flat roof. PD for dormers is mostly determined on the additional volume as opposed to the design.