Overlooked

[Earl Aelfheah]

Someone recently bought the house behind ours. Before they moved in the whole house was renovated, including a very high spec loft conversion with bifolding doors. Effectively the whole back of the top floor folds back / disappears. It looks great except that they have it open all the time and it looks straight down on to our garden. I don't feel relaxed being out there anymore. I know all loft conversions overlook their neighbours to some do degree, but there is a huge difference between some French doors and the whole top floor being completely open, floor to ceiling. Our gardens are very small so they really are right on top of us. Should we have been consulted on this? It's all a bit academic now I guess as the thing's built and I don't want to fall out with anyone, but would be interested to know what the regs are.

[EDmummy]

Ooh, I'm envious! But unfortunately for you it's what in comers will do. Now, if I could do that we'd only look on trees. Know the name of their architect?

[alice]

easy to check if they got planning permission etc http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/485/planning_applications/554/search_the_planning_applications_register you shouldve been consulted

[Earl Aelfheah]

It is a really nice renovation, they have done the same thing on the ground floor too.

[LondonMix]

Loft conversions typically do not need planning permission. They can be done under permitted development if the size etc meets with certain criteria.

[numbers]

even if formal planning consultation wasn't required, it would have been a decent gesture to go around and speak to the people (your neighbours after all) that would be overlooked, wouldn't it?

do sympathise with you rahrahrah, it sounds awful (not nec the design, I mean the fact it feels 'on top of your garden').

only thing is that as much as you feel overlooked by this, doesn't sound like they have privacy either as they too are overlooked (if that makes sense). I'd hate to spend that much money only to feel like I was living in a goldfish bowl!

[alice]

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/loftconversion/miniguide brilliant little animation

[JohnL]

But you now have the moral right to do something similar without guilt.

and to pass the info on when selling if it gets a higher offer :)