Question about proposed loft con next door..

[smashngrab]

We have been asked to sign a form 'The party wall act'

The only thing I'm worried about is whats going on the the party wall,as in to stop any noise that we will have above our heads.

I havn't seen the plans because she took them away with her,i wont be signing before i see them.

What normaly should go on the party wall in a loft con ?


The lady who owns it is OK,but you have to look at the long game,she could sell it to Bloke who's learning the bass guitar !!

 

[noseall]

I don't think the PWA covers potential noise nuisance, that would be a job for the council's environmental health should it occur.

Probably.

 

[^woody^]

Yes, the PWA can cover sound insulation/precautions

The idea is that the Act will ensure that the neighbour does not suffer any/too much detriment when the works are in progress, and also when finished.

So in cases like this, as part of any award, the person doing the work can be required to incorporate measures to prevent excessive passage of sound. But in most cases it will be enough just to comply with the requirements of the building regs, and the OP can not insist on anything extreme or over and above the norm for a typical loft conversion. It would be different if the conversion was stated as being for a specific noisy use

The neighbour should have provided technical drawings and specifications as part of the notice given. Otherwise the notice may be invalid. You need to ensure that what is to be done is done properly and will not be too onerous. The most likely thing will relate to putting in new beams on the party wall. This is pretty standard and not a big issue. One thing to consider will be maintenance - if say a dormer is being built, how will it be maintained without access to the neighbouring roof?

 

[ajrobb]

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/partywall

Look at the explanatory booklet, it includes sample letters that are reasonable to sign. Check your neighbour's agreement against the samples.

In the end, I don't think you can stop the work if it conforms to regs. Only building regs need to be complied with if it complies with permitted development. There are limits on things like windows that can be used without planning permission (something like Velux windows with the bottom of the opening at least 1.7 m above the floor).

 

[noseall]

I thought the o.p. was concerned about potential noise problems arising from the loft-con once it is habited and not specifically construction noise.

Sorry if my post was misleading.

 

[ajrobb]

as in to stop any noise that we will have above our heads.

I think the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is only about construction and not about use. Unfortunately, I don't think that withholding your party wall consent can prevent the development on noise grounds. I think you can only object on structural grounds. You do have an opportunity to make stipulations about nuisance during construction as part of an amicable arrangement. There are ways they can proceed without your consent, and you lose that opportunity.

Modern regulations have better noise insulation than previously, so there should be less nuisance from the conversion than the rest of your neighbour's house.

I don't know if you could form a restrictive covenant with you neighbour to agree that neither of your attics (even if you don't have an attic yet) would ever be used for music practice. That would be nothing to do with the Party Wall act though. However, as I said above, a modern attic may be the best room for music practice.

I am trying to learn bass guitar.

 

[smashngrab]

I've had a word with the owner and she will be sending me some plans.