Just over a year ago the couple next door applied to build a single storey rear extension under the neighbourhood consultation scheme to replace an existing conservatory. This application was submitted by the builder.
About a month later I got a letter from the planning department saying the application had been refused due to the proposed extension being attatched to an existing extension, so could not qualify under the scheme. The thing is by that time the extension had been built as the application was only made about three weeks into the build.
The thing that I can't help wondering about is this - is it possible they might not actually know of the refusal??? If the builder apply's from his address would they have received the refusal letter?
The reason for asking is I am thinking of applying for an extension on that side and a visit by the planning officer is possible. I am hoping there is a valid explanation but I do wonder if they were duped by their builder. I would like to try and help them but perhaps they know and are hoping to regularise it in a few years time or something. Or is it a planning trick I am unaware of???
One other thing does concern me about their building work. They changed their water supply over to the blue plastic pipe only it was laid at only about 40mm below ground and I don't think they used any pea shingle under. Also where it enters the house was only two bricks below ground level so only about 150mm. Clearly it wasn't inspected by anyone and it's only about two metres from where I am thinking about building. I did contact the water company about it but they said there was nothing they could do as it is on private property. Is there anything else I can do as it doesn't really seem right to me, I have read it should be laid at 750mm with pea shingle under and should be inspected before back-filling.
About a month later I got a letter from the planning department saying the application had been refused due to the proposed extension being attatched to an existing extension, so could not qualify under the scheme. The thing is by that time the extension had been built as the application was only made about three weeks into the build.
The thing that I can't help wondering about is this - is it possible they might not actually know of the refusal??? If the builder apply's from his address would they have received the refusal letter?
The reason for asking is I am thinking of applying for an extension on that side and a visit by the planning officer is possible. I am hoping there is a valid explanation but I do wonder if they were duped by their builder. I would like to try and help them but perhaps they know and are hoping to regularise it in a few years time or something. Or is it a planning trick I am unaware of???
One other thing does concern me about their building work. They changed their water supply over to the blue plastic pipe only it was laid at only about 40mm below ground and I don't think they used any pea shingle under. Also where it enters the house was only two bricks below ground level so only about 150mm. Clearly it wasn't inspected by anyone and it's only about two metres from where I am thinking about building. I did contact the water company about it but they said there was nothing they could do as it is on private property. Is there anything else I can do as it doesn't really seem right to me, I have read it should be laid at 750mm with pea shingle under and should be inspected before back-filling.
