Does anyone know about building regs etc?

[binley100]

Next door but one have submitted plans for an extension. They are detached but the plans say they are building onto my neighbour's wall . This will obviously save them some money as in no external wall and no foundations to dig . am I right in thinking that this then turns next door into a terraced house as they are semi-detached with us and does that then turn us into an end of terrace . My neighbour has been onto planning who say they are happy for it to happen , an estate agent who says it will devalue their house and building regs who say they would need a party wall surveyor and if they oppose then it goes to civil dispute which can also devalue their house . Anyone offer any advice please. Also if it then makes us an end of terrace instead of a semi does that affect our value ? The first they knew was a letter through the door which I think it would have been nice for them to be told about it beforehand .

[Potstubsdustbins]

Binley, first yes I think it would devalue your property in certain circumstances.

Are you sure they intend to use your neighbours wall? This would be highly unusual.

First thing get a set of plans for your properties and establish what is known as the building/boundary line, that is the line that actually divides the two properties. With planning permission they can build up to the building line but may not cross it under any circumstance,s without your neighbours written permission.

Colin

[Glutton4...]

Sounds like a bl**dy liberty to me!

[Alison]

Highly unusual to use the existing wall of a neighbouring property. Normally if you're going to use an existing foundation then you need to prove the extent of that foundation for example when my friend had an extension over the garage they had to do a trial hole in the garage to show the depth of the concrete slab etc. The building inspector came out to inspect this. If they're building onto the existing wall they'll need to be confident that that wall is suitable. Some level of additional loading must be going onto that wall as a result of the new roof etc as that will shed load there which could put additional loading onto the neighbours house. All very strange and it doesn't sound at all right.

[Snadger]

Usually, the side of a Semi will have a pathway to get from the front to the back garden? If the Semi's wall is on the boundary how do you get from front to back?

[binley100]

The wall they are using has good foundations as my neighbours have a two storey extension , but i'm not sure if it is right on the boundary line. It was already done when they moved in . My neighbour asked the planning officer how how would feel if it was onto his property and it said its fine we don't have a problem these plans can be passed.
When she finally got to speak to her neighbour this evening he said he didn't lnow anything aboput the plans as his wife was dealing with it all and she's in India till Weds ........I find that very hard to believe.

[Alison]

Usually, the side of a Semi will have a pathway to get from the front to the back garden? If the Semi's wall is on the boundary how do you get from front to back?

Not necessarily, the bit between our semi and the boundary is only about a foot or so, enough space for the cats to get down the side but then only way we can get round the back is either through the garage or house.

[Alison]

Google say - If you plan to build a party wall or party fence wall astride the boundary line, you must inform the adjoining owner by serving a notice. There is no right to build astride the boundary if your neighbour objects. You must also inform the adjoining owner if you plan to build a wall wholly on your own land but up against the boundary line.

[binley100]

We have a pathway down the side of ours but when the extension was done next door they used the pathway to put a corridor in to the extended bit off the landing and at present there is a gap between the houses ..

[Alison]

This might be relevant too although I've not read it all - http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/upl...in_booklet.pdf

[binley100]

thanks for that it looks very informative. Have saved it and will send it across to next door . Basically what it seems to say is that they have to be informed in writing about them using their party wall and if they don't respond in writing within 14 days it goes to dispute and the building work can't go ahead...I think

[bearded bloke]

Have a read of this Bin's .......... Party Wall Act

There is a 42 page .pdf about party walls available ....... http://www.communities.gov.uk/docume...pdf/133214.pdf Edit:Whoops think that link may be a duplicate of Alisons

[binley100]

Thanks for your help everyone. Am going to e-mail these links to my neighbour . Have also suggested to them that they tell him his house will be going from a detached to an end of terrace ......bit of a come down for him

[Potstubsdustbins]

As I thought you cannot cross the boundary/building line without written permission, nor can you place concrete under your neighbours land without similar written permission.

So if the boundary is only 1/2" from your attached neighbours wall they cannot join onto that wall without written permission. If you think about it its your land therefore it would be the same as taking money from your purse.

Your neighbour should quote para 22 of the act to the council planning officer, in writing and copy your MP, watch the oiks at the council sit up and take notice then.

Colin

[Mikey]

Thinking about this in very simple terms, it looks as though the previous owners of your neighbours house built upto the boundary when they built their extension. So in planning terms there is already a precedence to allow their neighbours to do likewise.

Not knowing exactly how far apart these walls are, it might be worth asking the neighbours who intend doing the work whether they have asked an estate agent if the property would be worth less as an end of terrace after undertaking the work. It might be something they have not thought about and might put them off doing the work.

Your neighbours can object and the plans would have to go to the next full planning meeting, giving your neighbours some more time in order to gain the full information upto 8 weeks normally.

Its a shame your neighbours dont have a window on that side elevation as this would have scuppered the plans altogether, right to light, ventilation etc.