Help in advance of buying new home - right to light / planning approval

[Matt999]

We are about to purchase a new home (A) (southeast london) and had intended to buy the first one, chalet style house, and in advance of purchase reached out to the neighbour to discuss our extension plans, however their feedback was that they would oppose both options and we are wondering from a planning standpoint if they would be able to do that. Option one we believe they do, which would’ve been to do a double side extension with a single kitchen extension at the back across the full length of the property.  We can see that a double side extension would have restricted their right to light and so proposed a single side extension, a dormer on the chalet roof and the kitchen extension at the back. However, they stated that they would still oppose this as it would affect their light on the driveway to the left of our proposed property. Do you feel that they would be justified in their proposal of that?

 

If that is the case then we are thinking instead to purchase the second property (b) and maintain the original plan of a double side extension and kitchen extension to the back across the full length, where we don’t think there would be any right light restrictions and was wondering based on these images, would we be right in that assumption. 

 

Thank you for may help or guidance that you may be able to provide with this. 

[MikeSharp01]

Do they have an established right to light (RTL) as there are specific rules for this. Is it 20 years qualifying period, can't remember, of they don't qualify there is no establish RTL. Also it only applies to habitable rooms not driveways. Both properties seem to be close to oneanother, I guess that's location, location, location for you. Have a look to see how many houses have got extensions like the one you are planning and see what the planning history for them is to get an idea of whats been allowed. Also RTL is not a planning issue it a civil law matter. 

[Conor]

Objections mean nothing unless they substantially relate to planning policies. "I don't like it" type objections will be ignored by the planners.

[nod]

45 minutes ago, Conor said:

Objections mean nothing unless they substantially relate to planning policies. "I don't like it" type objections will be ignored by the planners.

Plus 1

 

These objections are usually ignored by planners Nowadays planning objections only serve to slow the application down 

 

Our daughter is in a similar position with two houses being built in next doors back garden 

Mr Google has told her she can stop this development As did the planning consultant she hired against my advise (5k) His four page objection appeared online along with the application 

Its just been passed 

[MikeSharp01]

Right to light is a thing but not for planning. It can cost a lot to go to law over it but it can cost the people who infringe it shed loads. Get a feel for it here: https://www.onebroker.co.uk/business/business-sectors/one-indemnity/right-to-light-insurance/

[DevilDamo]

Ignoring the RtL thing for now, neighbours can only object on formal/Householder applications. Should you end up deciding to go down the Permitted Development route, then there is nothing the neighbour(s) can do in Planning terms.

[scottishjohn]

to me 

iwould extend back into the garden area 

not as though either house looks that small 

and  keep an access to the rear 

with no RTL problems 

 

 

[G and J]

In either case you will be living with your new neighbours, so ideally you want to take them with you......our experience is as others have suggested (we bought a bungalow on a very narrow plot ...its' pair one side, 2 storey house the other side....we wanted to demolish and build 2 storey house using footprint). Before we bought people in bungalow said they would object/ people in house said " no problem". In end all neighbours objected (including those opposite), although those in the bungalows pair only objected on basis of how work would be done.

 

None of the objections had any relevance in terms of planning policy. Permission was granted in full.

 

Job of work now to take new neighbours with us, including listening to their worries and undertaking party wall awards in a non combatative way (however we feel!)...so which house do you prefer?