Enforcement case

[sasharoo]

Hi
Hoping someone can help.
I live in a designated area that being an AONB. My neighbours side elevation is at the bottom of my garden in an elevated position, about 2m higher and approx 11m from my house. We are very close to them

The natural screening, trees and shrubs, have been cut down by them and has revealed French doors and a raised deck area about 5ft from ground level their side. Their bungalow was originally built with a fixed obscure window there. At some point their garage has been extended beyond the principle elevation creating an inner room which now has these French doors serviced by a raised deck. They are currently constructing a summer house to the side elevation too right up to the boundary fence in a raised position. All these changes have created a very bad overlooking issue.

I contacted my council for help/advice 13th July. They immediately opened a planning enforcement case. I had a reply back 7th September stating the French doors are permitted development, that it is a civil matter and closed the case.

I cannot believe this is the case as they can see right into the ground and upper floor of my house especially with the separation distance being only 11m.

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

[echat11]

Hi SASHAROO

There's quite a bit of information in the link / document provided, no doubt your own Council has produced a similar document -

https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/assets/...gn%20Guide.pdf

https://www.trafford.gov.uk/planning...extensions.pdf

You should gather more evidence and Appeal their decision, especially if the Councils Guidelines are being breached..

[des8]

Raised decking 5 foot above ground level and no planning permission!

Here's the Welsh situation (imagine England is similar) https://gov.wales/planning-permission-decking

[islandgirl]

Certainly look at appealing though I don't know how you appeal a refusal to enforce? I would get my local councillor involved right away and the MP if possible. The fact that they say French doors do not require permission indicates they have not really read the file in detail. Could you go in and see them and explain the issues?

[echat11]

Certainly look at appealing though I don't know how you appeal a refusal to enforce? I would get my local councillor involved right away and the MP if possible. The fact that they say French doors do not require permission indicates they have not really read the file in detail. Could you go in and see them and explain the issues?

All Council's will have a Appeals/ Complaints process, go through the process, if the OP still isn't happy, then make a complaint to the LGO -

https://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-compla...ng-enforcement

[islandgirl]

Of course it would be an internal complaint rather than an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Thanks Echat. The advice stands though - speak to your councillor!