Do any of you know anything about conservatories ...?

[comeandseeforyourself]

I know this sounds complicated but any advice would be really welcome...

When we moved here a couple of years ago we knew our large kitchen window didn't have much of a view - it's on the side of the house facing our neighbours fence and back. His house is higher than ours, as they are built on an incline, but he had a privet hedge on his side so there were no privacy issues when we moved in. Last month he cut the hedge down which surprised us. 

Anyhow now we know why as this week he has begun having a conservatory built right up to the boundary fence. I've checked online and it seems he doesn't need planning permission provided the eves of the conservatory are less than 3 metres high HIS SIDE... His ground level is quite a bit higher than ours so anyone standing in the conservatory will be able to look right over into my kitchen. I have thought about net curtains but the room only gets sunlight first thing and the rest of the day it is quite dark. If we had nets then we would need the light on which would then defeat their purpose. We have even thought of trying to plant a quick growing hedge on our side but we only  have a narrow walkway. There isn't enough space as I am in a wheelchair and use that side to get into the garden.

My other half reckons the neighbour will only be able to see in if the lights were on and the blind was up but I still think I shall feel like I am in a goldfish bowl. Is there anything I can do or do you reckon I am overreacting?

[chickengrandma-2008]

I don't think there's anything you can do about the fact that they will be able to see in, but look at it logically.

Will you be doing anything in the kitchen that you wouldn't do in front of anybody.  Will you always be dressed etc? 

Do you really think your neighbour will stand in their conservatory solely to look at you and what you're doing?  As before, will you be doing anything you wouldn't want them to see?  I wouldn't go especially to stand and watch my neighbour wash up or cook.   It will be difficult to see in if it's not a particularly bright room, and in the evening just pull the blind down.  Ok, it's not ideal, but don't stress about it, it's not worth it. 

[comeandseeforyourself]

Thanks I guess you're right - it's just I am quite a nervy person and don't go out that much. My home has really become my "safe haven" and the thought of any loss of privacy gets me in a tizz.

[chickengrandma-2008]

Do you know for certain that they'll have glass in that end?  They could (probably not) but they could have a solid wall there. 

[comeandseeforyourself]

I'll keep my fingers crossed. 

[carolyorkie2010]

Could they put frosted glass in that end to protect your privacy? Could you maybe talk to them about it? Or contact anyone at your local council?

[ginap.123]

We have a solid wall at the side of our conservatory that would overlook our nieghbours property (only because I didn't want them looking in, it works both ways), so it doesn't have to be a window there.

[captainbovine]

do you get on with these neighbours? could your husband have a friendly word with him to see if there will be a window there and any other concerns you may have?

You could always put some frosted coating on your windows I guess but I think the neighbour has a responsibility to make sure he doesn't upset his neighbours too.