Neighbours building outbuilding - looks huge - regs?
Discussion
Hey chaps.
I am probably being a busy-body at the moment, but I'd like some advice/opinions please.
We had new neighbours move in about 2 months ago, and when they moved in the husband mentioned that he wanted to build a shed in the back garden. Move on a couple of months, and it look as if he's building a castle or second home. He's a carpenter, and it's to be his workshop.
In my opinion it's a fair bit bigger than the 'shed' that I was expecting, and looking out of our house makes it seem as if it's overlooking us as it's facing our place instead of his. I don't know anything about building regs, permission required or whatever, hence this post. It's a bit of a shame, as he cut down about 5 huge trees to put it in, and I feel as if we've gone from a nice private garden to whatever-we-have-now. I worry that it may put potential buyers off the house (we were planning on moving next summer).
Anyone got any thoughts?
For size reference, our fence panels on the left side of the garden are 2 metres wide, and I'm unsure on the height.
So, should I just stfu or is it an issue?
And the view on the other side, to give an idea of how the area looked before...
Thanks in advance.
I am probably being a busy-body at the moment, but I'd like some advice/opinions please.
We had new neighbours move in about 2 months ago, and when they moved in the husband mentioned that he wanted to build a shed in the back garden. Move on a couple of months, and it look as if he's building a castle or second home. He's a carpenter, and it's to be his workshop.
In my opinion it's a fair bit bigger than the 'shed' that I was expecting, and looking out of our house makes it seem as if it's overlooking us as it's facing our place instead of his. I don't know anything about building regs, permission required or whatever, hence this post. It's a bit of a shame, as he cut down about 5 huge trees to put it in, and I feel as if we've gone from a nice private garden to whatever-we-have-now. I worry that it may put potential buyers off the house (we were planning on moving next summer).
Anyone got any thoughts?
For size reference, our fence panels on the left side of the garden are 2 metres wide, and I'm unsure on the height.
So, should I just stfu or is it an issue?
And the view on the other side, to give an idea of how the area looked before...
Thanks in advance.
From here http://www.summergardenbuildings.co.uk/index.php?r...
Since he has built it close to the boundary and it almost certainly has a roofline above 2.5m, I suspect that it requires planning permission.
That said if you raise the issue with local planners, he will then apply for retrospective planning, they may reject it, he may appeal, and all of this will take a considerable time,, so it will still be standing next summer, and you will have a neighbour dispute that will have to declare when you come to sell the house. I think that you are between a rock and hard place on this one.
it said:
Is planning permission required for my shed?
The majority of garden sheds do not require planning permission. However, permission is required for any shed which covers over half the garden, which is not for domestic use or which is over 3 metres high with a pent roof or 4 metres high with an apex roof. Larger sheds which are within 2 metres of a boundary and over 2.5m high (8'2") require planning permission. Some larger apex roof sheds may be over 2.5m high. Planning permission may also be required for any shed which is nearer to a public highway than the original dwelling. For planning purposes a public highway includes any road or footpath with a public right of way. If you live in a Conservation Area or a Listed Building permission may be required for any shed over 10 cubic metres. This brief summary is not intended to be a comprehensive guide. Contact us for further advice or contact your local planning department. Please note that planning regulations apply to any building whether temporary or permanent including garden sheds.
There is normally a volume calculation as well but that is council specific, you can contact yours to find out.The majority of garden sheds do not require planning permission. However, permission is required for any shed which covers over half the garden, which is not for domestic use or which is over 3 metres high with a pent roof or 4 metres high with an apex roof. Larger sheds which are within 2 metres of a boundary and over 2.5m high (8'2") require planning permission. Some larger apex roof sheds may be over 2.5m high. Planning permission may also be required for any shed which is nearer to a public highway than the original dwelling. For planning purposes a public highway includes any road or footpath with a public right of way. If you live in a Conservation Area or a Listed Building permission may be required for any shed over 10 cubic metres. This brief summary is not intended to be a comprehensive guide. Contact us for further advice or contact your local planning department. Please note that planning regulations apply to any building whether temporary or permanent including garden sheds.
Since he has built it close to the boundary and it almost certainly has a roofline above 2.5m, I suspect that it requires planning permission.
That said if you raise the issue with local planners, he will then apply for retrospective planning, they may reject it, he may appeal, and all of this will take a considerable time,, so it will still be standing next summer, and you will have a neighbour dispute that will have to declare when you come to sell the house. I think that you are between a rock and hard place on this one.
That looks like it will be exactly within paramaters. Its <2.5m on his side.
If hes a carpenter then hes building reg savvy I suspect.
BUT, diff local councils have diff rules.
I think it looks nice, sorry. Could been a LOT worse and the quality of build looks excellent. I'd have a nice word first - chatty like and see what he think, if you are going to complain he'll know anyway so you might as well find out his view first.
But as I say, it looks to me like it will be fit exactly within general guidelines
If hes a carpenter then hes building reg savvy I suspect.
BUT, diff local councils have diff rules.
I think it looks nice, sorry. Could been a LOT worse and the quality of build looks excellent. I'd have a nice word first - chatty like and see what he think, if you are going to complain he'll know anyway so you might as well find out his view first.
But as I say, it looks to me like it will be fit exactly within general guidelines
mikees said:
That looks like it will be exactly within paramaters. Its <2.5m on his side.
If hes a carpenter then hes building reg savvy I suspect.
BUT, diff local councils have diff rules.
I think it looks nice, sorry. Could been a LOT worse and the quality of build looks excellent. I'd have a nice word first - chatty like and see what he think, if you are going to complain he'll know anyway so you might as well find out his view first.
But as I say, it looks to me like it will be fit exactly within general guidelines
Thanks for this - I suspect you may be right. The ground level is similar between the gardens, but we're probably 6" lower - so that might make it look bigger to us.If hes a carpenter then hes building reg savvy I suspect.
BUT, diff local councils have diff rules.
I think it looks nice, sorry. Could been a LOT worse and the quality of build looks excellent. I'd have a nice word first - chatty like and see what he think, if you are going to complain he'll know anyway so you might as well find out his view first.
But as I say, it looks to me like it will be fit exactly within general guidelines
Frustrating, but that's life I suppose. Thanks again guys
king great shed!' thread 
Get in some nice 2.5-3M shrubs along your side of the fence (half way up from the end of the garden would do) and they should look good this time next year when you're selling up. Possibly the easiest and most cost effective job and no hassle for all concerned.
Edited by Johnboy Mac on Saturday 9th July 21:26
Johnboy Mac said:
Get in some nice 2.5-3M shrubs along your side of the fence (half way up from the end of the garden would do) and they should look good this time next year when you're selling up. Possibly the easiest and most cost effective job and no hassle for all concerned.
Yeah, apart from I don't want to plant more stuff - if you check the pics we've only just removed a huge flower bed from that side (well, we're nearly done). Edited by Johnboy Mac on Saturday 9th July 21:26
The view from the garden is one thing, but the view from the house is the worst - I feel like this thing is all I can see. I suppose that'll lessen once he's painted it though.
Ah well. Thanks chaps
If he is a carpenter by trade isnt this workshop likely to be used by him for trade purposes?
You can report the construction to the enforcement dept of your local council. They won't tell the neighbour who has complained but will investigate.
Also I dont believe that reporting it to the Council would count as a neighbour dispute as all you are doing is finding out if the building is legal or not. A neighbour dispute would be generated by you discussing it with him and when he says "Its my own f***ing business" and the discussion deteriorates.
You can report the construction to the enforcement dept of your local council. They won't tell the neighbour who has complained but will investigate.
Also I dont believe that reporting it to the Council would count as a neighbour dispute as all you are doing is finding out if the building is legal or not. A neighbour dispute would be generated by you discussing it with him and when he says "Its my own f***ing business" and the discussion deteriorates.
Chrisgr31 said:
If he is a carpenter by trade isnt this workshop likely to be used by him for trade purposes?
You can report the construction to the enforcement dept of your local council. They won't tell the neighbour who has complained but will investigate.
Also I dont believe that reporting it to the Council would count as a neighbour dispute as all you are doing is finding out if the building is legal or not. A neighbour dispute would be generated by you discussing it with him and when he says "Its my own f***ing business" and the discussion deteriorates.
I know he IS going to use it to build furniture for his house, no idea if he'll use it for his trade though as he has (so far) been going to work elsewhere, not from home.You can report the construction to the enforcement dept of your local council. They won't tell the neighbour who has complained but will investigate.
Also I dont believe that reporting it to the Council would count as a neighbour dispute as all you are doing is finding out if the building is legal or not. A neighbour dispute would be generated by you discussing it with him and when he says "Its my own f***ing business" and the discussion deteriorates.
Chrisgr31 said:
If he is a carpenter by trade isnt this workshop likely to be used by him for trade purposes?
You can report the construction to the enforcement dept of your local council. They won't tell the neighbour who has complained but will investigate.
Also I dont believe that reporting it to the Council would count as a neighbour dispute as all you are doing is finding out if the building is legal or not. A neighbour dispute would be generated by you discussing it with him and when he says "Its my own f***ing business" and the discussion deteriorates.
Are you serious, do you think a carpenter measures up a job, drives home and cuts the wood in his shed, then drives back to the job and does the fitting.You can report the construction to the enforcement dept of your local council. They won't tell the neighbour who has complained but will investigate.
Also I dont believe that reporting it to the Council would count as a neighbour dispute as all you are doing is finding out if the building is legal or not. A neighbour dispute would be generated by you discussing it with him and when he says "Its my own f***ing business" and the discussion deteriorates.
Personally I think that's fine, it looks perfectly legal, and well made.
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