Thorburn Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Our neighbours started building something a week or so ago in their garden. At first we assumed it was just a pergola or something similar as we have one in our garden which a previous owner had put in (we were going to get rid of it but instead took down some of the rails off it and have tidied it up for now). Anyway over the weekend they've been working on it some more and we now have this..... It stands a couple feet over the height of the fence and looks absolutely hideous. Is this something that needs planning permission to do as its massive and they've fitted double glazed windows (on a building made out of hacked up fence panels? ) Just a bit concerned as its a bit of an eye-sore and you can see it from the road into our cul de sac, from our garden, and from the rear facing windows. Don't want something going up that could put people off should we ever want to move? Or should I just mind my own business? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 (edited) It is your business and I would be on the phone to the council, planning office, whomever without delay. They will be the ones to tell you if it needs/has the relevent permissions. It's certainly no shed, that's for sure. It looks hideous! Planning Portal - Outbuildings Edited July 5, 2010 by Sponge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 The law was changed in 2008 to accomodate summer houses and a whole load of other garden buildings, avoiding the need for planning permission. It's fine, as long as: - the height does not exceed 2.5 metres - it does not have a veranda, balcony or raised platform - it does not cover more than half of the area of land around the original property It's difficult to tell from that picture as we don't know the fence height, but it looks like it may well be around the 2.5 metre mark to me - and maybe he knows the regulations and has had it designed to suit? That said, buildings can be deceptive until they're complete and it may well end up looking a lot better than it does right now. p.s. must say I think the same as you and don't like the look of it at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busby Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 (edited) Jesus Christ What an eyesore!! Whether it was my business or not I wouldn't want my neighbour to have something like that in the garden either. I recall hearing something about wooden structures not requiring planning permission as they are classed as temporary. However, if it is built on a concrete foundation and closer to a highway (footpath or road) than the original building then I think it does require PP. I'd definitely be making a call to the local planning officer and e-mailing a photo over for their opinion. Concrete foundations and double glazing can hardly be considered temporary!! Edited July 5, 2010 by Busby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Not sure it it last long. The first pillar is on the piss. If it has a flat roof, it's going to be damn hot in there. Maybe it's a sauna or spa bath housing thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted July 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Fences are all 1.8m, I get the feeling its being built to be JUST inside the letter of the law. Door unit will be 2055mm all in + height of the base its built on, then flat roof I'd assume as its within 2m of the boundary, so can't have a pitched roof as there is no allowance for that within that distance from the boundary. Think the slanted look of some of the pillars is the effect of the camera distorting it, just used my Ixus quickly this morning. Reckon I should fire off an enquire to these guys? Unlawful Planning Development - Swindon Borough Council Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Might it be best to ask them what it is ? It's a lash up that would be seen as a temporary structure and sit inside the rules for sheds and cabins / summer houses. I'd want to know it's final use- as it stands it won't be wind or weather proof and could be no more than a place to put bikes and house hold junk. If they intend to runa business / home office then I'm pretty sure the council would be interested. Those fence panels look like a temp fixing, and I'd suspect they are awaiting a delivery of something a bit more build like. Have you noticed if they have run cabling- electric, Cat 5, Tv or phone - have they run ducting for waste water or provided water in to the shell ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted July 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Might it be best to ask them what it is ?It's a lash up that would be seen as a temporary structure and sit inside the rules for sheds and cabins / summer houses. I'd want to know it's final use- as it stands it won't be wind or weather proof and could be no more than a place to put bikes and house hold junk. If they intend to runa business / home office then I'm pretty sure the council would be interested. Those fence panels look like a temp fixing, and I'd suspect they are awaiting a delivery of something a bit more build like. Have you noticed if they have run cabling- electric, Cat 5, Tv or phone - have they run ducting for waste water or provided water in to the shell ? We don't know them, the place had people going in and out pretty much every day since we moved in and they seem to have gutted the whole house in that time. Think its an Eastern European family but hard to tell. No idea if they've been running any cabling or the likes as its not like I can just go snooping around their garden. Someone did suggest that they might be trying to build up brick work and hide it with the fence panels, but reading the regulations I'm not sure why they would. Definitely not a temporary thing as they've destroyed the whole garden and put down a massive concrete slab to build it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 They are probably going to live in it as the whole house has been converted into a giant grow room for super skunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockney Boy Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 If the structure is within 5m of the house or near another one (look at the neighbours garage), then you need planning. If the building is to be used for living/sleeping then you need planning. Even if the structure is temporary and if it exceeds a certain size, or is going to hinder or look out of place then you need to inform the council. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Come on, admit it, you're worried that they'll be moving another 15 people in there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted July 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 They are probably going to live in it as the whole house has been converted into a giant grow room for super skunk House across the road already got raided for that and the tenants kicked out last month If the structure is within 5m of the house or near another one (look at the neighbours garage), then you need planning. If the building is to be used for living/sleeping then you need planning.Even if the structure is temporary and if it exceeds a certain size, or is going to hinder or look out of place then you need to inform the council. Any reference for that? Come on, admit it, you're worried that they'll be moving another 15 people in there! Not exactly, but that would require planning permission. I'm just not keen if its going to devalue my property, and it looks fugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busby Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 This will solve all of your problems in one easy step........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 If they make it one of those flat roofs with gravel on top, teach the cats that it's their brand new litter tray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 :znalika: More important than next door JT - shouldn't you make your dog piss in the corner instead of all over the lawn!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted July 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Chav, that's next door, not my garden. Weirdly they don't have a dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Weirdly they don't have a dog. Maybe not, but they're gonna have a hell of a big one soon by the looks of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Thorburn, please don't take this the wrong way, but your view isn't exactly ruined is it ? OK it's not the most elegant structure, but it's not obscuring anything spectacular, it isn't next door to you, and I would guess they've read the rules and are building the biggest thing they can without having to comply with PP. They will have to comply with building regs though. Maybe it's going to be a sauna, with lots of hot Czech chicks sat sweating, waiting for you to knock the door ? Or a Vietnamese greenhouse maybe ? Win win. I suspect you're going to have to live with it, good luck in any case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Maybe not, but they're gonna have a hell of a big one soon by the looks of it. I'm with him. Looks very dog kennely to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted July 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 theduisbergkid, not taken the wrong way at all. Just just wanted to check there was nothing dodgy with it. Will keep an eye on what they're doing, but probably leave them be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockney Boy Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Have a look at this Planning Permission for Garden Buildings - A Garden Building (UK) House across the road already got raided for that and the tenants kicked out last month Any reference for that? Not exactly, but that would require planning permission. I'm just not keen if its going to devalue my property, and it looks fugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 theduisbergkid, not taken the wrong way at all. Just just wanted to check there was nothing dodgy with it. Will keep an eye on what they're doing, but probably leave them be. Fingers crossed for hot Czech sauna chicks then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 6, 2010 Report Share Posted July 6, 2010 I'm with him. Looks very dog kennely to me Or a cage for Hannibal Lecture......... (or other savoury character) Perhaps they are going into wolf breeding? Amphetamine/crystal meth production facility? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 6, 2010 Report Share Posted July 6, 2010 Or a cage for Hannibal Lecture I never knew he was a teacher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 7, 2010 Report Share Posted July 7, 2010 I never knew he was a teacher. Yep, specialist lessons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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