Woody’s Tips – no: 6
If you have to make a Planning Permission application to build your garden office, part of the process will involve your neighbours being consulted. Even if you are building under the Permitted Development rules, it is good practice to have a word with your neighbours, to let them know what you are intending.
Neighbours can get a bit twitchy about building work. They worry about how it will impact their property, their view and what noise and disruption there will be during the build.
If you have a chat with your neighbours before the build starts, show them what you intend to build and how it will look from their property. You can save yourself from potential problems along the line.
Explain that you are building under the Permitted Development rules and how you will be following those rules. For instance, if you are building a 2.5m high garden office, this allows you to position it close to the boundaries of your garden. It is also worth explaining where the height measurement will be taken from.
Your supplier will have given you an estimated on-site build time, and it is a good idea to share this with your neighbours as they may fear that building will go on for weeks, rather than the few days which is typical.
If you take the time to explain things to your neighbours, you can overcome potential issues. Over the years I have heard more than once about issues occurring during the build when a neighbour fears the building is taller than it should be or in the wrong position. The neighbour has called in the planners, and this has delayed work and caused undue stress for all involved.
Preempt these concerns early on, so that everyone is informed and happy!
Suggested further reading:
- Do you need Planning Permission to build a garden office
- Planning Permission perhaps I won’t bother
- A visual guide to Permitted Development