WRITTLE
THE PARTY WALL PEOPLE
We are the people to talk to when it comes to implementing the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996 in Writtle. We can prepare and serve party wall notices, we will undertake schedules of condition and if required, produce and serve party wall awards (party wall agreements).
Our 100% 5-star rating on Google is a result of the pride we take in our professional, personal and expert service
​We hold memberships with the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (FPWS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
We carry Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
​The Party Wall People are based in Chelmsford, Essex so Writtle is on our doorstep, but we do venture all over the southeast of England.
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If you have any questions about the party wall act, please feel free to contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.
I DON'T THINK THE PARTY WALL ACT AFFECTS ME
HOW CAN I BE SURE?
If an owner wishes to undertake works that fall within the remit of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 then it is their statutory duty to inform their neighbour(s) by serving a party wall notice:
Do you have a project in Writtle and intend to carry out works that involve any of the following?
Work on an existing wall, ceiling or floor structure that is shared with another property.
Building on or at the boundary with another property
Excavating near a neighbouring building or structure
If you’ve answered yes to any of the above then the Act most likely does apply, and you must take action. Contact us for bespoke, proactive help with your project. 01245 526 762
WRITTLE: A SURVEYOR'S VIEW
Often described as one of the loveliest villages in England, Writtle presents a very specific set of surveying challenges centred around its historic Green and Conservation Area. The vernacular is characterized by ancient timber-framed buildings and traditional Essex pargeting. These historic structures often sit on shallow-spread foundations or even just a few courses of brickwork. When a neighbour plans a modern extension with deep, rigid footings, the differential movement between the old and the new is a major concern. We specialise in navigating these heritage-sensitive projects, ensuring that a party wall award includes provisions for appropriate construction methods.
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Geologically, Writtle sits on the Lowestoft Formation (Chalky Till), a stiff, glacial clay that generally offers excellent load-bearing capacity. However, the village is also home to many significant, mature trees that are protected by Tree Preservation Orders. The interaction between the thirsty roots of these trees and the clay soil means that foundations for new extensions must be meticulously designed. We ensure that your party wall notices and awards are technically robust, managing the structural risks associated with building near historic properties and protected landscapes.
PEOPLE OF WRITTLE HAVE WONDERED
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CAN I START WITHOUT A PARTY WALL AWARD?
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You can’t start any of the notifiable works without a consent from your neighbour or until a Party Wall Award has been served. However, you may be able to do some works related to the project which have been approved by planning approval for example. Lots of people serve the notices and even get an award in place before planning is approved to save time.
WHO WILL PAY THE FEES?
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Most of the time, the Surveyors fees are covered by the Building Owner. The cost of two different surveyors will usually be higher than that of an Agreed Surveyor. It is worth knowing that the time to agree the Party Wall Award might also be longer.
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CAN I JUST SERVE MY OWN PARTY WALL NOTICE?
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Yes, you are able to produce and serve your own notices… But if they are served incorrectly they are invalid, and you will need to start all over again which could delay the start of your project. Having this done early on by a Party Wall Surveyor will deal with this potential risk.
DO I NEED PERMISSION TO PUT UP A SHELF OR MOVE AN ELECTRICAL SOCKET?​
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This sort of work would be considered to be minor and such works would not need to be notified under the Act.
WHAT ABOUT A TIMBER FENCE - IS THAT A PARTY WALL?
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No, although references are sometimes made to shared or 'party fences'. These do not fall under the Act..
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WHEN DO I NEED TO NOTIFY MY NEIGHBOURS?
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Timing is really important, so reviewing your project with a Party Wall Surveyor to run through your project and check if any elements will require serving notice removes stress from the project early on, allowing you to concentrate on the rest of the job. We would recommend getting in touch as soon as a planning application has been submitted, if you intend to begin works promptly.
CAN MY NEIGHBOUR STOP MY PROJECT?
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Your neighbour can’t stop you carrying out the project by not responding within the required timeframe. If this happens then the Act allows you to appoint another Surveyor on their behalf so that a Party Wall Award can be served. You can’t have an Agreed Surveyor in this scenario.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS IF I DON’T SERVE A NOTICE?
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It is illegal to begin any notifiable works without a notice. Your neighbour has the right to serve an injunction and stop the work.
If you have done some work which might hinder your neighbour’s ability to have a project of their own, without serving the correct notice, you will be liable to compensate for any remediation or damages caused under common law. You will have to cover the cost for undoing this work and any related design fees.
CAN THE ACT BE USED TO LOCATE A BOUNDARY?
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No, The Act is not the tool to resolve boundary disputes and party wall surveyors have no powers to do so… The Act cannot be applied until a boundary dispute is resolved. In the case of a section 6 notice, which deals with excavations within a certain distance of the adjoining owner's property, the boundary location is irrelevant.