Help please

[Paulsuffolk]

I plan to build a small rear single storey extension I have a very difficult neighbour who wants to cause problems for me. I have been told if I was to use a raft foundation this would allow me to bypass the Party wall agreement. Is this correct many thanks

[Roundtuit]

It depends on the raft design and how close to your neighbours you're building, but yes, it sounds reasonable.  We used a raft rather than piles for our garage foundation which avoided any Party Wall complications.

[George]

Rafts can typically be only 450mm deep which would usually mean you aren't digging down below a foundation and need to do a party wall agreement.

 

However.... a PWA being objected to doesn't mean you can't do the work. They'd have to get a surveyor for themselves and that surveyor could only point out real issues or just say it's OK. They can't just instruct the surveyor to object for the sake of it, at the risk of their professional membership(s).