Construction: it's up to you to find out
Construction: it's up to you to find out
"The house next to mine has been sold and I've just seen bulldozers arrive to find out that it's going to be demolished and replaced by a block of flats!
I'm shocked that I wasn't informed, especially as I don't think the new building that has been authorised complies with the rules of the neighbourhood.
Why aren't neighbours consulted in such cases?
Olivier, Vaud
The Vaud law on land use planning and construction stipulates that no construction or demolition work, above or below ground, that significantly alters the configuration, appearance or use of a plot of land or a building may be carried out without prior authorisation.
The permit application is sent to the Municipality, which puts it out to public enquiry for 30 days, after checking that the project complies a priori with the various laws required for prior cantonal and federal authorisations to be issued. The notice of the enquiry is then published in the Feuille des avis officiels, the local newspaper and on the State of Vaud's official website; it is also posted on the public pillar. In addition to the necessary information, such as the name of the owner, any exemptions requested are listed in detail.
The period for lodging an intervention or an objection begins on the day following publication in the Official Gazette. Any interested party then has 30 days to lodge an objection. The application for planning permission and its appendices are made available to the public at the municipal registry or the technical department of the municipality concerned, but the law does not provide for any individual communication to neighbours, even when the project involves a departure from the regulations in force. In the canton of Vaud - as in Geneva - it is up to each individual to obtain information by consulting the Feuille des avis officiels or other media in which the invitation to tender is published. In this way, neighbours become "interested parties" and can take any measures necessary to safeguard their rights. Once the Municipality's decision has been made, it is communicated only to the applicant for authorisation and to those who have submitted comments or objections. That's why you weren't informed earlier of the authorisation issued to your new neighbour.
