Is a mezzanine floor bungalow allowed??

Hello house building forum.

We have had a bungalow of about 122 sqm for about 2 years. First of all, we are glad that we found something affordable at all. However, we wish it had been a bit bigger in sqm.

About 10 months ago, one of our neighbors passed away and the grandson inherited it. The bungalow is about 100 sqm with a full basement. It was too small for him. After a long back and forth, his architect planned a bungalow with a recessed floor for him. Building application was submitted: successful.

We are very surprised that the recessed floor is even possible and called the building regulations office at the time to ask how that could be. The contact person who approved the application said very dryly: The development plan allows it. In their building area, no maximum heights etc. were established at that time.

The new house with the recessed floor was built about 6 days ago as a prefabricated timber house. It looks nice, but seems very colossal since only bungalows are present.

Now I called the building regulations office again and asked how we have to proceed to build a recessed floor. Then came the note that in my case it would not be so easy: NEIGHBORLY CONSIDERATION!

At first, it was said that the development plan allows it without having to follow any heights etc., and now it doesn't? What is possible now?

PS: To simplify, I have attached a picture and marked it accordingly. The neighbor's house is marked in red and mine in yellow.

The neighbor's house is marked red and mine yellow.

His is an end house, yours a middle house. I do not suspect any further differences, and both are terraced houses, so his approval surprises me. But if all conditions are the same, then according to the principle of binding discretion, your application should basically also be approved.

Yes, if a one-story construction is required, then it is also possible to build with an upper half-story. That is nothing else than a staggered floor. If the floor area ratio cooperates, if it even exists, then there is a green light.

At first it was said that the development plan allows it without complying with any heights, etc., and now it does not? What is possible now?

First you asked why the neighbor can do it. Then of course you get a factually correct answer, which here concerns the development plan.

Now I called the building authority again and asked how we have to proceed to build a staggered floor. Then came the note that in my case it would not be so simple: NEIGHBORLY CONSIDERATION!

That certainly applied to the neighbor as well. But an official does not have to disclose every sentence. Now this is the right answer for you.

Your houses are terraced houses. The neighbor’s upgraded house is an end house, yours is a middle house. In this respect, the neighbor “disturbs” his immediate environment less with his extension. In addition, his plot is quite a bit larger (-> floor area ratio), where the height also fluctuates.
The question is where the staggered floor was set: is it recessed all around or only on one or two sides?
With you, I can imagine that the middle section can be built up.
If necessary, ask your immediate neighbors whether they also pursue such a plan. Then you can join forces on the upper floor and have the same interests.

That is difficult to assess and seems hardly comprehensible. However, in a larger map section, you can see that opposite the new building there are houses with gabled roofs - perhaps the architect was able to argue for the new building based on the neighborhood context. Only a building permit inquiry will probably provide you with precise information. And what ypg writes.

That certainly applied to the neighbor as well. But an official spokesperson doesn’t have to blurt out every sentence.
Now this is the correct answer for you.

His neighbor on the right is my brother-in-law :)
My brother-in-law was definitely not contacted by the building regulations office. The official spokesperson informed my brother-in-law by phone that nothing needed to be considered here.
My brother-in-law only found out about his building project with the setback floor after the building permit was approved. The only thing they agreed on afterward was that he would fit the windows on the outside with privacy panels so that he cannot look into my brother-in-law’s garden. He doesn’t have to, but he does it anyway.

The question is where the setback floor was placed: is it recessed on all sides or just on one or two sides?
[QUOTE="Myrna_Loy, post: 504417, member: 54218"]
That is difficult to assess and seems hard to comprehend. With a larger map section, however, you can see that there are houses with gable roofs opposite the new building – maybe the architect could argue for the new build based on the neighboring layout. Only a preliminary building inquiry will probably tell you the exact details.

[/QUOTE]
His setback floor is located on the left side. On the right side, he has his terrace. See picture. (all viewed from the back)

I can imagine that the central section can be built at your place.
Maybe you should ask your immediate neighbors if they are also pursuing such a plan. Then you can team up on the upper floor and have common interests.

To be honest, we would plan it on the left side, since our utility room is in that area. Instead of a window, we would plan a side entrance door there and a staircase inside leading upstairs.

I will cautiously approach my immediate neighbors to see what they think about something like this.
I will also try to get in touch with the architect. Maybe he can tell me more about my project.

Best regards

Honestly, we would plan it on the left side,

Honestly: This is not a "make a wish" situation.