Annoyed by new neighbour's lack of respect for the street

SwordofLight

Hi All,

I live on a busy street adjacent to a main road, and there has been a refurbishment happening next door over the past 6 months. A few days ago, they knocked out the front living room window and installed a door on to the street. It is a second door, the other one is into their hallway. It is pretty obvious they intend to split it into two flats with their own front door entrances.

There was never any planning for this. I checked the local city planning notices. They have had it done over about a day very quickly. It changes the look of the street as there are three front doors in a row now instead of a front door window front door window etc etc. It also annoys me that they have been allowed to do this.

I am afraid to say anything to the council as it is a small enough community here but the effect will be fewer parking spaces to go around on the road and it is difficult enough already to get a space, and it probably opens the door to all sorts of messing.

Any advice? Is it legal to do this? Should I stay quiet? The council are a joke here anyway (Limerick).

Atlantic Dawn

Send an anomous letter to the council. Likely nobody in enforcement yet knows about it.

Piriz

worth making an anonymous call to the council.. might put manners on them

Mrs OBumble

A door requires a carpark?

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117908871#Comment_117908871

No it doesn't but you had to get planning permission and allow people assess it and allow for reasonable objections. You have to get planning permission even to convert a garage. You shouldnt have to but its people like the new neighbours above that cause problems for everyone. It could be a lot worse and count your blessing OP, it could be the travelling cousins and their ilk.

endofrainbow

Council won't act on anonymity.

xhomelezz

It changes the look of the street as there are three front doors in a row now instead of a front door window front door window etc etc. 

Any change must be disturbing on your street.

There probably adding a granny flat.

I don't understand how adding a second door shows lack of respect for the street?

Like its just a door where a wall used to be.

elperello

Write to the Enforcement Section of the Planning Department in your local authority.

Explain that you consider there has been unauthorised development and give a brief description.

They will be obliged to investigate.

You need not worry about signing the letter and giving your full address. It will not appear in any public file and your identity will not be disclosed.

CollyFlower

What sort of house is it, Is it attached or are they independent of other homes?

Atlantic Dawn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909494#Comment_117909494

Send an email from a burner email account to the council and cc every single councillor who is elected in the area, things will be done.

SwordofLight

I had a better look today and they've actually raised the street cobblestones up like a ramp to meet their inside floor level, which is a bit of a trip hazard for pedestrians.

I don't think the council will do anything. People park on double yellows here for days without penalty, the Christmas lights have been left up and on since last on the main streets, lads tear down one way streets on bikes and mopeds shouting randomly at people and the guards do nowt.. I could go on. Such a small city you would think they'd have an easier job to do. No doubt they'll share it with the new neighbour that I objected, is it worth the risk of retailation? Probably not.

mrslancaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117912623#Comment_117912623

Council wont disclose who makes a complaint to the enforcement section. My niece bought a house with a satellite dish on the front - not allowed without PP - and someone reported it. No information about who contacted the council and she thinks it was made about the previous owner but she was responsible for getting it removed.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909494#Comment_117909494

Correct, those days are long gone, in fact local authorities have introduced quite stringent procedures in relation to reporting alledged unauthorised developments which absolutely require the persons reporting, Details, Address and contact information. My own lists quite clearly what is required and go further by saying they will not investigate reports without full contact details of the person reporting.

This said, local authority will not disclose any information of those making a complaint.

I'm assuming this approach to weed out spurious complaints.

wildwillow

Could they be making a wheelchair accessible entrance and the hallway is too narrow?

Still need planning permission for any changes to the front facade and definitely to the path if it’s not their property.

Either talk to the roads section or to the planning department of the local council.

Lantus

Altering a public path is a definite no. Just submit the letter.

You wouldn't want someone to trip up on said path and get an injury which could lead to a claim. I doubt they have even considered that.

It's not just the front door. There are multiple requirements for making 2 separate properties like fire separation. Utilities etc.

JimmyVik

I moved a gate post once by a foot and the council were on it like a shot. Had to put it back.

endofrainbow

Another reason the council won't entertain anonymous reports is if it eventually goes to court.

while a complainant's  name won't be revealed, information can be sought under FOI Act and whilst details will be redacted, it's a process of elimination as to who reported the breach.

coolbeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117912623#Comment_117912623

If you're not prepared to report then you shouldn't really complain. The Endowment section will take your details but are obligated to keep them confidential. The only way Enforcement action can take place is on foot of a complaint.

coolbeans

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117925566#Comment_117925566

Enforcement not endowment.

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117913749#Comment_117913749

fcuk that though, I have scumbag neighbours around the back from our house. They've put in stuff without planning, a granny flat, family living in it, chimney and all. No way I'm complaining unless it's anonymous.

Chances are in a city this size (Dublin) yer man knows someone in the council. He's a cowboy builder so would have, I imagine, some connections in the Dublin City council.

This country is too small to be making complaints against people like this when you have to live next to them potentially for the rest of your life.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117927932#Comment_117927932

I completely agree , I can't comment on the rights and wrongs of local authorities introducing stringent reporting guidelines but clearly there was a lot of spurious and unsubstantiated complaints being lodged, clogging up planning departments.

I can say, right across the road from me a 70's style bungalow has just been tripled in size and roof raised by 10 feet. Absolutely no planning Lodge (confirmed) , I believe reports lodged and its a very proactive local authority. Will anything be done, that's an open question, personally I feel the restoration looks excellent, does this mean it's acceptable without planning, No but like yourself, I'm not getting involved ,it's a very rural location. If a local Authority can't see an unauthorised development like this and not ask questions, there is seriously something wrong (the property in full view from a main road )

Cuddlesworth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928044#Comment_117928044

In a lot of other places building work is checked and enforced, usually in phases. In Ireland, its not. Also, enforcement is a joke here when it does happen. I can think of a few property's with demolition orders on them.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058209416/annoyed-by-new-neighbours-lack-of-respect-for-the-street

You said you're annoyed they were allowed to do this, but that they didn't get permission. Which is it? I'm guessing they weren't actually allowed. In which case council probably don't know yet.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909223#Comment_117909223

Not sure why you mention garage. But you're mistaken, you don't need permission to convert a garage subject to reasonable comditions

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909494#Comment_117909494

Nonsense. That applies where they have to investigate on private property. If council know it is unauthorised, they have act on it. They don't need anyone to assign an complaint to. It's unauthorised development, if they know it happened, its literally their job to get involved. They can commence enforcement on their own.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928382#Comment_117928382

Correct and in normal practice any authorised developments are subject to checks and sign off, the problem in Ireland from what I can see is it appears to be pure luck if an authority happens to spot something untoward or if the development affects a utility or other service.

I've no doubt authorities do act on legitimate complaints and reports, I just suspect the process of reporting turns concerned people off.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117912623#Comment_117912623

If you're aren't going to let council know about it. Then you can't complain that they didn't do anything.

None of those issues you mentioned have anything to do with the planning department.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928421#Comment_117928421

I think the point raised involves a private property and therefore local authorities won't act anonymity. Whilst I agree councils will act "if they Know" a development is unauthorised, the crux of the problem is how do they know exactly, perhaps an Eagle eyed local authority employee stops it, I can't say but the fact remains and perstainent to the original OP , No action or investigation will commence based on anonymity, the matter remains heresay so to speak .

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928516#Comment_117928516

All planning permission involved private property. That's not relevant at all. The vast majority major enforcement actions have been the council acting themselves. By the logic above, a group of neighbors could all collectively agree to build without planning and not complained on each other to evade the process. Good luck with that.As for how who the could know. A simple photograph of the street would show the unauthorized development in progress, at that point it's black and white. There is is no hearsay, their is a publicly accessible record of planning. A planner could confirm in seconds. There is no grey area.

What you are thinking of is where somebody had permission to build 20 feet high, and a neighbour says they build 22 feet. Or they are building an exempt development, an a neighbour claims the area is too high. In that cases you can't tell from a photo, it's entirely in a grey area. They they need to investigate and take measurements. And they want a name in order to avoid people making spurious claims in order to "check" the neighbours work.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117929032#Comment_117929032

I again refer you to the matter at hand, lodging a complaint about an alledged unauthorised development and the processes involved.

I'm fully aware of of planning laws, obligations , these are an entirely separate matter.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117928421#Comment_117928421

Not an architect or anything but I was looking at converting a garage but it was more complex than that. It was converting a garage into a one bedroom apartment and building over it. I was told I would need planning permission for that. In the end there were very deep flaws in the house and we abandoned the purchase. Open to correction here.

db

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117930916#Comment_117930916

That's quite a bit different than just converting a garage. What makes you think you should be able to build a new apartment without permission?

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117929053#Comment_117929053

Lol, it's not an entirely separate matter to planning laws. It is completely, and only, about planning laws. First the private property guff, now the above. Is this some elaborate joke I'm missing.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117930916#Comment_117930916

Converting the garage didn't require planning permission. Building a story on top and subdividing it into a separate apartment did.

A garage, that is attached to the house, can be converted without planning subject to a 40sqm limit, same as an extension.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932043#Comment_117932043

I'm not at all sure what your issue is, your trying to make something out of nothing.

I've only dealt with the issue surrounding a person reporting an alledged unauthorised development and what is required. I made no judgement on planning laws, breaches, god bad or indifferent.

The OP asked a perfectly legitimate question, a few posts suggested report the issue, followed by some suggesting do it anonymously. I've simply point out the Facts.

I'll type this slowly for you.

Namely Local Authorities no longer act on reports / Complaints submitted using anonymity not entirely sure what part of this fact your NOT getting. Local authorities will only respond, deal with a complaint when they have full contact details of the person lodging the complaint, this does NOT mean Local authorities will share this information with anyone.I again make no judgement on this fact , you seem to be going off into wild tangents, unclear what your actually posting about, as you mention GUFF, you'll understand what I mean.

I suggest , you take some time, do it slowly, go back to the start of the Thread and try to grasp what I've actually said before you go off into a meaningless rant .

What your clearly MISSING is the actual Point I've raised.

Caranica

The obvious way to complain is via a local councillor or TD, they can pursue it with the Council on behalf of their constituent without the name ever being disclosed to the council. I've seen it happen many times.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932426#Comment_117932426

Unlikely that's going to happen to be honest, apart from the fact the Alledged person breaching planning is also a constituent. I'd suspect most local politicians will stay clear of this issues and direct people to the local authority, whereby they'll be required to submit their details along with those of the complaint they wish to lodge.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932550#Comment_117932550

Plenty of councillors will lodge unauthorised development complaints for people who don't feel safe doing so themselves. You'll find plenty mentioning doing it on their social media posts or when talking to local papers etc.

Caranica

I've seen countless examples. Politicians will contact the council, they won't necessarily ask for anything to be done, but asking for information on the situation is usually enough to get wheels turning. Asking for an update isn't taking sides so they're covered

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932569#Comment_117932569

I've said unlikely but the fact remains, details of the complainant required. Furthermore any member of the public is able to submit a freedom of information request regarding a complaint, whilst no gaurentee details will be disclosed, my own local authority clearly advise by way of a disclaimer anyone submitting a complaint is subject to a possible FOI request.

I do recall the days were local politicians got caught up in all sorts of planning disputes, complaints, permissions, I'm old enough to know how that all ended and I still believe most local politicians will stay clear of potential planning disputes, but again, this is my own OPINION.

Dempo1

Thread is going around in circle's so before I leave it.

If anyone has any doubt on the process of lodging a complaint or reporting unauthorised development, a very simple check of applicable local authority sets out what is required and the process involved.

I accept discrete enquires by local politician's can a do occur but that's all they are, discrete enquires.

As a recent example, I've mentioned a development right beside me, I know for a fact 3 local councillors contacted and one TD, all said of course we'll enquire, some came back with forms to fill (name and address required), one said, I've made that enquiry, just go on the website, fill in the details (yours) and the TD , respectively declined , explaining that it's a local authority issue, they made contact and were advised the complainant needs to report the issue formally and directly.

I should point out I was not one of the people who made enquires but 4 neighbors did.

So, I'll leave it at that .

SwordofLight

Thanks to all who gave input and I am still considering the matter. It is not straight-forward as some like to think, and receiving your voices has helped me reflect deeper on it. I won't rush into a decision just yet.

wildwillow

Contact the local authority road maintenance services about the alterations to the path. If it is a public path they have no right to alter it. Does the work done make it more difficult for wheelchair users and buggies to navigate?

Xander10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909494#Comment_117909494

Put one of your other neighbours name on the letter

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932108#Comment_117932108

Unauthorised developments IS planning law. And only planning law. The fact that you missed that key point really highlights you don’t know what you are talking about. Mentioning planning law is not a wild tangent, it’s the entire matter.

maybe read that slowly yourself if your still struggling to grasp the relevance.

Planning enforcement can, and do enforce these matters on their own accord. It’s literally the law, and their job. The claim that you need a named complainant to give them power to do anything is complete nonsense. As I said, you are confusing two very different scenerios. Investigating a claim verses a known breech.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117934149#Comment_117934149

I'm over your nonsense, Move on, not interested

listermint

I'm not sure what the problem is here. If it's splitting into flats as you say then it's probably for rental ergo they aren't your permanent neighbours it's just an investor property. Why wouldn't you complain with your name on it......

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117934159#Comment_117934159

In others words you were caught out spoofing. Run along now.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117932067#Comment_117932067

No, no. I expected there to be planning permission needed for change of purpose for the garage into a one bedroom apartment. The three bedroom house had an extension (big bedroom plus wetroom) built out the back for the previous owners retired mother, I wanted to change it into a one bedroom apartment (1000 a month). Now the garage had a flat room, which I hated and I wanted to build on a bedroom and half to extend the house. Shure you might as well "be hung for a sheep as a lamb" job. In the end the Surveyor found so many problems with the house, he stopped the survey and we withdrew the offer.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117936959#Comment_117936959

A garage conversion on its own is exempt. But the previous owners extension maybe have already used up the property’s extension limit.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117938105#Comment_117938105

Most of the neighbours on the estate have had something done to their garages over the years. They mostly look like home offices and and second living rooms

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