Planning Permission

[Grant Farrow]

We own an end terrace town house in city centre Edinburgh. Planning Application has been submitted which will leave a gar of TWO INCHES between the gable end wall and a block of flats - making it impossible to do any repairs etc if problems arose with the gable end wall. Boundary lines of ownership are at the gable end - common sense is not? Any advice/previous experience?

[sddsddean]

Object on those grounds. Inform your local councillor and try and get them on your side. Write to your MP(and MSP) stating your fears/grounds for objection. If you can get these people on your side, it all helps (and it is what we pay their wages for!!).

[Hard@it]

This cannot be so, there is a minimum of 1 metre from the border of your property to any new build ! Why don't you phone or go in and see the building/planning department, as it has only been submitted and if you are an owner you can object. Hard@it

[Hard@it]

Come to think of it, are you sure it is not 2 metres and not 2 inches as imperial is not used nowadays ? Hard@it

[jake-the-peg]

You might also want to investigate objecting on grounds of a fire hazzard if it really is that close

[Sphinx_Svens]

Hard@it ... the 1m boundary no longer applies ... you can build right up to the boundary now

[Hard@it]

Sphynx-seven thanks for info - but I will check as this is in Scotland. Cheers Hard@it

[Rock'n'Roll]

A 2" gap would sound to me like an haven for rodents as there is no way it could be cleaned out. You should object. Write a list of everything that gets suggested that you think may help your case and get down to the council. A look in on CAB may be helpful

[gazzawazza]

I was going to mention that you are allowed to build right up to the boundary (in England) but Sphinx beat me to it. But I will say that jake-the-peg mentions a fire hazard. I've recently had planning permission granted and as a result of this I know that you are allowed to build right up to the boundary as long as you don't have openings in the wall which would allow fire to spread to a neighbouring property. There are certain specified sizes which require greater distance between buildings, for instance, up to a total of 1m2 must be no closer than 1m to the boundary.

[lembo121]

Grant, quick!

Upgrade your boiler to a combi and situate it so that the flue go's out that wall!! See what happens then!!

Infact, we're on the queensferry road (new idea plumbing) we'll come and do it for you!!!

All this hassle is a by-product of our green belt rules.

[Grant Farrow]

Thank you almost all answers to my dilema are good the proposed building will be as high as my roof with a balcony space directly next to my dorma master bedroom also looking down directly into my garden!

My outer wall has a gas fire flue could the closeness of the newbuild prevent my gas fire from working properly ie blowback or poor ventalation or fire hazard also what about repair to my gable end I would not be able to access.

[Hard@it]

Grant I have asked around and I am told that the 1 metre rule still applies in Scotland, plus you have to have room for maintenance

[Grant Farrow]

Thank you Hardit