Neighbourly planning dispute....
Discussion
Evening all, after a bit of knowledgeable input if anyone's feeling giving.
Essentially, if I was to make a report to the caaaahncil planning dept regarding a ridiculously sized 'playhouse' in a neighbour's garden, would that be something I'd need to declare as a 'dispute' to a buyer if I was selling in the next year or two?
Context; next door are currently in the process of erecting what I can only describe as a f*king monstrosity of a playhouse/observation tower, approx. 12ft high with a floor level at about 6ft, painted in blue & grey camouflage and with a platform/veranda and a window which both give panoramic views over the 6ft boundary fence and into our garden (and house); the thing is inches from the fence. Very illegal I imagine, but I'm hopeful (possibly very optimistically) that we might be able to compromise before I go ringing the council. But failing that I'll have no choice, it can't stay as it is. Irritatingly, they've chosen to do this just as we're pondering a valuation and thinking about selling at some point, so I'm doubly chuffed as you can imagine
As with all potential neighbourly disputes, some thought needed as to how best to go forwards!
Cheers all.
Essentially, if I was to make a report to the caaaahncil planning dept regarding a ridiculously sized 'playhouse' in a neighbour's garden, would that be something I'd need to declare as a 'dispute' to a buyer if I was selling in the next year or two?
Context; next door are currently in the process of erecting what I can only describe as a f*king monstrosity of a playhouse/observation tower, approx. 12ft high with a floor level at about 6ft, painted in blue & grey camouflage and with a platform/veranda and a window which both give panoramic views over the 6ft boundary fence and into our garden (and house); the thing is inches from the fence. Very illegal I imagine, but I'm hopeful (possibly very optimistically) that we might be able to compromise before I go ringing the council. But failing that I'll have no choice, it can't stay as it is. Irritatingly, they've chosen to do this just as we're pondering a valuation and thinking about selling at some point, so I'm doubly chuffed as you can imagine
As with all potential neighbourly disputes, some thought needed as to how best to go forwards!
Cheers all.
Surely exceeds the 2.5 metre height rule. Very unneighbourly imho, your neighbour will get his face wedged when you try to discuss. The fact they didn’t come to you in the first place says a lot. f
k em you’re moving anyway.
My neighbours erected some sort of play fort thing within a metre of my fence which would have allowed their son to stare right into the room we live in most. Went straight around and told him we weren’t happy and why, asked if they’d like it. Pointed out an area it could go where it would bother no one. They moved it. Only have to put up with the little git knocking of parts of our close boarded fence now.
k em you’re moving anyway.My neighbours erected some sort of play fort thing within a metre of my fence which would have allowed their son to stare right into the room we live in most. Went straight around and told him we weren’t happy and why, asked if they’d like it. Pointed out an area it could go where it would bother no one. They moved it. Only have to put up with the little git knocking of parts of our close boarded fence now.
Vincecj said:
I'll be following this with interest, as we build play equipment.
We have a project that we started over a year ago. Planning got involved and it's still not resolved.
That sounds intriguing; do you build it professionally, so to speak? In this case I can't see them having a leg to stand on if it comes to planning being involved, but I'm not the type to go straight for the nuclear option and I'd hope we can have a sensible conversation about it - I may be pissing in the wind however!We have a project that we started over a year ago. Planning got involved and it's still not resolved.
elanfan said:
Surely exceeds the 2.5 metre height rule. Very unneighbourly imho, your neighbour will get his face wedged when you try to discuss. The fact they didn’t come to you in the first place says a lot. fk em you’re moving anyway.
My neighbours erected some sort of play fort thing within a metre of my fence which would have allowed their son to stare right into the room we live in most. Went straight around and told him we weren’t happy and why, asked if they’d like it. Pointed out an area it could go where it would bother no one. They moved it. Only have to put up with the little git knocking of parts of our close boarded fence now.
Yup, all valid points. We get on perfectly fine so I'm pretty unimpressed that they didn't even think it might be an idea to have a word. They're well over 2.5m, plus the floor height is about 6ft rather than the 30cm that you're technically allowed before planning, so ultimately if need be it'll clearly be coming down! As for moving, I'm now pondering who the f'ck would want to live next door to Checkpoint bloody Charlie! k em you’re moving anyway.My neighbours erected some sort of play fort thing within a metre of my fence which would have allowed their son to stare right into the room we live in most. Went straight around and told him we weren’t happy and why, asked if they’d like it. Pointed out an area it could go where it would bother no one. They moved it. Only have to put up with the little git knocking of parts of our close boarded fence now.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 8th June 22:23
A friend up the road was refused retrospective planning permission for a tree house /raised platform they built, so enforcement action does happen.
Neighbour one side ok with it but the other was dead against it. Was taken down after the decision.
I'm not sure I'd call it a neighbourly "dispute": it's just the country's planning function working correctly.
Neighbour one side ok with it but the other was dead against it. Was taken down after the decision.
I'm not sure I'd call it a neighbourly "dispute": it's just the country's planning function working correctly.
Southerner said:
I'm now pondering who the f'ck would want to live next door to Checkpoint bloody Charlie! :roll:
Seems to be the latest "must have" for the latest batch of rug rats..This one went up about a month back, thankfully it doesn't impact me as it overlooks directly in to my neighbour's garden. My wall varies between 5' and 6' due to fall of the land but I'd be less than happy if I had one built overlooking me.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against an appropriately-sized playhouse; I was thinking of sticking one in for my two, with my first thought being "mustn't go higher than the fence as it'll overlook"! Next door got there first and went all-out at twice the height of the sodding fence!
Pleased to report that the womenfolk have conferred, and Mrs Nextdoor hates it as much as we do!
I don't think it'll be there for long! 
Just goes to show I suppose that's it's always (mostly) worth trying the soft approach first; the missus was aiming for the planning office from day one. That would've soured relations somewhat!
Pleased to report that the womenfolk have conferred, and Mrs Nextdoor hates it as much as we do!
I don't think it'll be there for long! Just goes to show I suppose that's it's always (mostly) worth trying the soft approach first; the missus was aiming for the planning office from day one. That would've soured relations somewhat!
If you complain to the planning department at the moment, nothing is likely to happen.
My next door neighbour but one has had an enormous standalone building constructed at the bottom of their garden. About 20ft x 20ft and about 10ft high - made of wood, but with cladding. It's basically standalone accommodation - it has several rooms, a bathroom and even a bath in there - and a few days ago, even got a little curved plastic screen above the door, so you don't get wet when letting yourself in.......
He has not applied for planning permission. Several neighbours - and myself - have complained to the planning office - we simply got a standard response that currently, pretty much everybody is involved in "covid related matters" and nothing is going to happen anytime soon. If / when it eventually does, they'll let us know.......
My next door neighbour but one has had an enormous standalone building constructed at the bottom of their garden. About 20ft x 20ft and about 10ft high - made of wood, but with cladding. It's basically standalone accommodation - it has several rooms, a bathroom and even a bath in there - and a few days ago, even got a little curved plastic screen above the door, so you don't get wet when letting yourself in.......
He has not applied for planning permission. Several neighbours - and myself - have complained to the planning office - we simply got a standard response that currently, pretty much everybody is involved in "covid related matters" and nothing is going to happen anytime soon. If / when it eventually does, they'll let us know.......
davek_964 said:
My next door neighbour but one has had an enormous standalone building constructed at the bottom of their garden..
Close friend of mine is just finishing this little workshop at the end of his garden, all within permitted development rules. Roughly speaking it's 6x5m with a concrete floor and about 3 ton of tiles on top. To be honest it's a fabulous bit of construction and once finished will be awesome. Windows and doors are all UPVC framed and double glazed and it's fully insulated with an electrical supply.
Seesure said:
Close friend of mine is just finishing this little workshop at the end of his garden, all within permitted development rules. Roughly speaking it's 6x5m with a concrete floor and about 3 ton of tiles on top.
Looks a little high for that close to the boundary tbh ? Or am i due a parrot?
Do things like this need planning permission: https://www.costco.co.uk/Toys-Baby-Child/Outdoor-P...
No ulterior motive here - just curious!
No ulterior motive here - just curious!
Chozza said:
Looks a little high for that close to the boundary tbh ?
Or am i due a parrot?
As long as its over 2m from the boundary its 4.5m with 2.5 at the eaves. Theres a good government planning portal that covers all the permitted development. You can do quite a lot if you have big garden. Or am i due a parrot?
Camelot1971 said:
Do things like this need planning permission: https://www.costco.co.uk/Toys-Baby-Child/Outdoor-P...
No ulterior motive here - just curious!
I *believe they do technically, if it's a platform more than 30cms high. My loose understanding is that it doesn't tend to be rigidly enforced for things like that if they aren't causing an obvious issue.No ulterior motive here - just curious!
OP, whats described almost certainly requires planning permission as it would classify as a 'raised platform' / outbuilding depending on whats been built. When you raise it to planning enforcement, you supply your name and address to the council but no public record is made of those details and no 'dispute' is recorded on any sort of registry or deed etc.
The only two public records that come of a planning enforcement dispute are the record of an active enforcement case at said address, and if an enforcement notice is served, then a charge on the deed of the land held on the land registry. If you are concerned about a valuation, you should raise a planning enforcement case and show the assessor / buyer the open investigation on the planning portal to show that the issue is being dealt with.
Most councils will investigate that. If they don't, raise it with your Cllr and they almost certainly will at that point.
The only two public records that come of a planning enforcement dispute are the record of an active enforcement case at said address, and if an enforcement notice is served, then a charge on the deed of the land held on the land registry. If you are concerned about a valuation, you should raise a planning enforcement case and show the assessor / buyer the open investigation on the planning portal to show that the issue is being dealt with.
Most councils will investigate that. If they don't, raise it with your Cllr and they almost certainly will at that point.
Seesure said:
Close friend of mine is just finishing this little workshop at the end of his garden, all within permitted development rules. Roughly speaking it's 6x5m with a concrete floor and about 3 ton of tiles on top. To be honest it's a fabulous bit of construction and once finished will be awesome. Windows and doors are all UPVC framed and double glazed and it's fully insulated with an electrical supply.
That is almost certainly unlawful and would require planning permission. Outbuildings can only be up to 2.5m if within 2m of a boundary, or 4m to the top of a pitched roof if not within 2m of the boundary - that to me looks within 2m of the boundary and possibly over 4m in height.Camelot1971 said:
Do things like this need planning permission: https://www.costco.co.uk/Toys-Baby-Child/Outdoor-P...
No ulterior motive here - just curious!
Yes, but depends how friendly your neighbours are. If nobody reports it then you won't have an issue, and after 4 years it will become lawful regardless. If someone reports it you will have to take it down or apply for planning.No ulterior motive here - just curious!
Gooly said:
That is almost certainly unlawful and would require planning permission. Outbuildings can only be up to 2.5m if within 2m of a boundary, or 4m to the top of a pitched roof if not within 2m of the boundary - that to me looks within 2m of the boundary and possibly over 4m in height.
You are bang on with the guidelines and these are what my mate worked with - having walked around it I can confirm it's over two metres from any boundary - on the height, I'm pretty sure he is within the rules - the top of the "patio" doors at the front is around 2 metres to help give a reference point. The angle of the photo probably foreshortens it as well.Seesure said:
You are bang on with the guidelines and these are what my mate worked with - having walked around it I can confirm it's over two metres from any boundary - on the height, I'm pretty sure he is within the rules - the top of the "patio" doors at the front is around 2 metres to help give a reference point. The angle of the photo probably foreshortens it as well.
In that case it's likely fine - photos can be deceiving 
Southerner said:
Vincecj said:
I'll be following this with interest, as we build play equipment.
We have a project that we started over a year ago. Planning got involved and it's still not resolved.
That sounds intriguing; do you build it professionally, so to speak? In this case I can't see them having a leg to stand on if it comes to planning being involved, but I'm not the type to go straight for the nuclear option and I'd hope we can have a sensible conversation about it - I may be pissing in the wind however!We have a project that we started over a year ago. Planning got involved and it's still not resolved.
Vincecj said:
We do indeed build professionally, mostly sub-contract. The picture is one we built recently and planning didn't seem to be an issue. Lots of other work going on and regular visits from the Planning Officer.
That is very impressive! I'd be interested to know what that costs all-in!Thanks all for your responses, and particularly those clarifying what I suspected would be the situation. As I said a wee bit up the page, thankfully it seems to have been resolved via my missus talking to his missus next door, they're friendly anyhow and it transpired that they both in fact hate the thing equally. Next door's missus had apparently been chewing his ear off since he started putting the thing up, I get the impression us having a whinge about it provided the excuse she needed to tell him it's going! Assuming he does indeed remove it we're all good, and no neighbourly war either!
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