I recently got some plans drawn up for a 2 storey extension to my existing 2 bedroomed semi detached house. I am wanting to do away with the garage and extend the house the width of the existing house and come foward 1.5 metres on both stories for the extension only. I am also wanting to take the extension out a little further than than the existing garage is, and leave a 1 metre path around the house. I really did not think that much about this as it only really affects house which is a bungalow next door which already elevated from my house so that the upper story is all that would affect it. Also the bungalow is set quite a bit forward. Anyway I thought it would be neighbourly to show the affected neighbours the plans. When I first went round just the husband was there and he was ok really but obviously did not really want it. He proceeded to show my partner and I the room that he thought it would be spoinling their view from as there is only one window facing the extension (I should also mention the proposed extension has no windows facing their house) the room in question was a box bedroom that did not even have a bed or even a chair in it. He said that they were not vindictive people and he would have to run it past his wife. 30 minutes later there was a knock at the door and his old trout of a wife was measuring out 1.5 metres from the front of my house and telling me that I could not do that at it would ruin her view. My girlfriend tried to reason with her but she was rude and just blanked her. Foolishly I offered to compromise as she was making a real scene and I offered to just extend the ground floor out 1.5 metres and leave the upper floor flush with the existing house. She agreed but said I would have to bring the revised plans around for her to go over When she left I had a huge row with my partner as she was disgusted with how rude this awful woman had been and I had not stood up to her. I must add I am very laid back and hate confrontation. So we decided just to go ahead with the existing plans, and again I thought I better go round and tell these neighbours.
When i went round and told them the guy was just really off saying so your not bothered about us then. I tried to explain that it is an estate and very similar extensions have already been built. He just got a bit nasty and said I better get a good structural engineer for the retaining wall that there property is built behind. I was going to do this anyway.
So I put the plans in and was at home when the planning officer did a site visit. I explained that this woman was causing trouble. She stated that similar extensions have been built and that she is not entitled to a view. She also said that no objections had been placed yet, I said I am sure that you will get one.
Anyway the Friday before Xmas I got a letter from planning stating that there had been six objections. Obviously one from her, the neighbour in the adjoining semi (how it affects that house I really do not know) and 4 other houses across the road, 2 of these houses do not even look directly on to my house (one of these houses itself actually has a substantial extension). I was expecting something as I saw this woman knocking on neighbours doors and going into their houses, I also heard her saying that they are going to totally ruin my view and that I will fight it until the end I have a feeling that she has got them to sign some kind of formatted letter that she has made out, as I cannot belive these people that it really has nothing to do with could be bothered to write letters for this silly woman.
I am able to view the letters but unfortunately the council offices are closed until the 2nd January, it goes before the panel on the 9th. I will still take a look but do not have loads of time.
I am just amazed at how spineless these neighbours are as we are very quiet people who keep ourselves to ourselves. I am also positive that none of them have actually viewed the plans either, as the extended house will look much better than the house is now.
I am just not sure how much weight these objections carry as the letter stated that the main objections were to the protuding double story extension. It could also be to be not keeping with the houses on the estate but I am sure that it does.
We have had our Xmas ruined, and cannot believe that this woman has got neighbours to go against us. I am sure that they were probably forced into it as she is great at laying on the crocodile tears.
I was just wondering how to go about this? I was thinking of writing a letter first trying to state what has it actually got to do with these other neighbours. Maybe including an overhead picture from google earth showing that some of these are not valid objections anyway. I was also thinking of taking photographs of similar extension on our road and on other similar estates to show that it is nothing really out of the ordinary.
Just wanted some pointers really. I really want to move personally as this woman makes me sick and I do not want to live next to her. But I guess she may get used to it in time if it is granted and we do build it, but I am just fed up of the whole thing to be honest. Either way I want to try and get planning permission whether I stay or sell as I owe this woman nothing. If planning say they need revised fair enough but she has been rude and I have no intention of speaking to her again!
When i went round and told them the guy was just really off saying so your not bothered about us then. I tried to explain that it is an estate and very similar extensions have already been built. He just got a bit nasty and said I better get a good structural engineer for the retaining wall that there property is built behind. I was going to do this anyway.
So I put the plans in and was at home when the planning officer did a site visit. I explained that this woman was causing trouble. She stated that similar extensions have been built and that she is not entitled to a view. She also said that no objections had been placed yet, I said I am sure that you will get one.
Anyway the Friday before Xmas I got a letter from planning stating that there had been six objections. Obviously one from her, the neighbour in the adjoining semi (how it affects that house I really do not know) and 4 other houses across the road, 2 of these houses do not even look directly on to my house (one of these houses itself actually has a substantial extension). I was expecting something as I saw this woman knocking on neighbours doors and going into their houses, I also heard her saying that they are going to totally ruin my view and that I will fight it until the end I have a feeling that she has got them to sign some kind of formatted letter that she has made out, as I cannot belive these people that it really has nothing to do with could be bothered to write letters for this silly woman.
I am able to view the letters but unfortunately the council offices are closed until the 2nd January, it goes before the panel on the 9th. I will still take a look but do not have loads of time.
I am just amazed at how spineless these neighbours are as we are very quiet people who keep ourselves to ourselves. I am also positive that none of them have actually viewed the plans either, as the extended house will look much better than the house is now.
I am just not sure how much weight these objections carry as the letter stated that the main objections were to the protuding double story extension. It could also be to be not keeping with the houses on the estate but I am sure that it does.
We have had our Xmas ruined, and cannot believe that this woman has got neighbours to go against us. I am sure that they were probably forced into it as she is great at laying on the crocodile tears.
I was just wondering how to go about this? I was thinking of writing a letter first trying to state what has it actually got to do with these other neighbours. Maybe including an overhead picture from google earth showing that some of these are not valid objections anyway. I was also thinking of taking photographs of similar extension on our road and on other similar estates to show that it is nothing really out of the ordinary.
Just wanted some pointers really. I really want to move personally as this woman makes me sick and I do not want to live next to her. But I guess she may get used to it in time if it is granted and we do build it, but I am just fed up of the whole thing to be honest. Either way I want to try and get planning permission whether I stay or sell as I owe this woman nothing. If planning say they need revised fair enough but she has been rude and I have no intention of speaking to her again!