Planning Permission Help

[OverWyreGrower]

We're generally objecting to the loss of privacy and the fact we'll be overlooked.

Once the sand paddock is in place, whoever is using it will be able to see directly into our house (kitchen, dining room, master bedroom), and the whole way through the garden (allotment, greenhouse, patio/BBQ area).

We bought the house because it was private and not overlooked and had great views.

Terry: We've been looking into various planting options. I don't really want any sort of hedge, but I think that the idea of expanding the orchard is a good one. I'd like cherries and nectarines (we've already got 3 plum trees, 2 apple trees and 2 pear trees).

I think, again, that what has p!ssed me off the most is the arrogance of the neighbours, just starting the build etc, without going through the proper processes...

[TPeers]

Well I have to agree there! Blind, pigheaded arrogance with absolutely no regard for what their new neighbours might or might not wish, want or feel!

Unfortunetly as they have gone ahead with the sand paddock you are now stuck - unless you have a sympathetic council the only way the thing is going to be removed is prolonged and no doubt expensive court action.

So as usual the law firms will win on the money front - mummbled apologies to any lawyers reading this!

I think it is clear from their actions that they don't give a highly coloured what-have-you for anyone elses views in this matter so give up on civil attempts to talk reason and head straight for any 'big guns' (figuratively please!) you may have. Make a nuisence of your self to the council, lobby the local MP and village association, plaster posters if you think it worth the effort - you won't get much for the work but it may force the council to turn down the plans when they are finally presented, also I understand that if a percentage of properties adjacent to the development object the plans have to be reviewed at an open planning meeting - every party has a chance to have their say before any decision is reached. It won't stop him from building now and applying later but you may be able to force a stop in the ultimate plan for flood lights.

Good luck

Terry

PS I'll keep my eyes open for cherry saplings for you!

[beefy]

A great big lelandii hedge - OK I know its not what you want but it grows quick and will block the veiw yours and his .Your going to lose yours so he might as well lose his as well. .If you want I could "arrange" to park a refridgerated trailer with a load of frozen food outside his house for a weekend with the fridge running.

[Geo]

O.W.G. Have a look >>Here<<


Geo..

[OverWyreGrower]

Thanks Geo! Looks like an interesting site!

Well, we got an official letter from the council yesterday saying they are formally investigating the sand paddock, but the legal requirements are such that they have a 28 days to do this in.

Considering the fence posts were concreted in yesterday and they plan to lay sand over the weekend, I feel that there was no point in complaining. By the time they get round to doing anything about it, it'll be finished.

To be honest, I feel it's ruined part of my garden and I can't help but be disappointed when I go to my veg patch and realise I'm stood a few metres away from a schooling arena. When I was planting last night, I could have easily burst into tears from looking at it.

We've got the weekend to think about hedging/fencing ideas, as the thought of looking at it for the rest of our lives is pretty depressing. Any sort of fencing/hedging will completely block our views of the hills etc, but I guess we've got to weigh up what we want - privacy or views...

[dexterdoglancashire]

I'm so sorry to hear your news Shelley! What a b******d! Have you got any news from the planning people yet? Keep on their case and make sure they do something straight away. Sneaky man - those lorries must have been busy to get all that done in a couple of days! I just hope they struggled to get through his posh gates! Good luck. Bernie
PS Sorry - just read your post dated 24th (my pc was slow) I'd still complain don't let them get away with it!

[jacob marley]

Is there any news good news prefered or are the weels moving slowly lets hope there is a good outcome jacob

[OverWyreGrower]

The planning office have issued a letter telling them they're in breach of planning regulations.

They now have to apply for (retrospective) planning permission, which means we'll have something to object about!

Picture is of the sand paddock as it currently stands...

[tinyvine]

Hi OWG
amazing garden! Obviously even more amazing view. I can sympathize deeply.
The walled garden sounds fab - how close is that fence to yours? Looks like they're touching? When you dig down to put in foundations for your wall, I would be surprised if this didn't affect their arena?!!?
Also I was wondering if you can use surrounding wildlife as an argument, all those diggers etc. Maybe I am reaching at straws, who knows. Please let us know how this one pans out. We're with you all the way. Take care and chin up- you've got things to do!

xx

[smallblueplanet]

If I were in your position I think I'd want to consider what end result I wanted, baring in mind that things are very unlikely to ever be the same as they were. I think that you have to consider your 'well-being' and decide what is the best course of action that leads to the greatest amount of happiness (yours of course!). Are you happy with the idea of a long drawn out legal battle that you will (by the sounds of it) lose? Are you happy to stay living where you are?

Perhaps your energies will be best used trying to make 'lemonade from lemons'? There are some good planting ideas mentioned on here. A good native hedge on the open boundaries are at least traditional and wildlife friendly.

I hope you can find a compromise that you can live happily with.

[Alice]

I think SBP has got it absolutely right. You bought your property ( which ends at your boundaries) and your neighbour bought his. You both have the right to enjoy your properties. You can do as you wish with yours and he can do as he wishes with his. At the end of the day you can live amicably beside this person, go to war ,which is likely to achieve nothing, and live in a state of hostility with this person, or decide it's not all going to be what you thought it would be, sell up and move on.
People don't like change, but sometimes it does work out for the better. Lemonade from lemons. Why not make some.

[OverWyreGrower]

If I were in your position I think I'd want to consider what end result I wanted, baring in mind that things are very unlikely to ever be the same as they were. I think that you have to consider your 'well-being' and decide what is the best course of action that leads to the greatest amount of happiness (yours of course!). Are you happy with the idea of a long drawn out legal battle that you will (by the sounds of it) lose? Are you happy to stay living where you are?

Perhaps your energies will be best used trying to make 'lemonade from lemons'? There are some good planting ideas mentioned on here. A good native hedge on the open boundaries are at least traditional and wildlife friendly.

I hope you can find a compromise that you can live happily with.

We don't want (and can't afford) a legal battle of any kind, and I'd rather not have open hostilities with neighbours (mind you, I'd not be bothered if I never spoke to them again either).

Since they're going to have to apply for planning permission for the sand paddock, stables etc, we've spoken to some very helpful people in the planning office who have advised us, when we write with our comments/objections, to ask for part of the engineering/building works to include planting a hedge between the properties.

Since we actually can't afford to purchase that much hedging ourselves, I think that we'll see if we can get our neighbours to do that as part of their works.

Re Alice: yes, we've both got a right to enjoy our properties and do with them what we wish, but surely local laws etc should be obeyed with regards to planning permissions etc? I wouldn't dream of changing anything that I needed permissions for, without them!

[Nicos]

Maybe you could ask for a nature-friendly hedge to be put up, otherwise you may end up with a laylandi hedge 30ft high to add to your dispute in years to come!

[OverWyreGrower]

I wouldn't mind a Leylandii TBH! We've got it along one side of our garden, and, although it needs regular pruning, it's something we'd be willing to do!

What other hedging options are there, does anyone know? We need something that's quick growing, and can be bought at a fairly large size instead of tiny saplings.

[TPeers]

Hawthorn, Blackthorn and a fewe other natives can be bought as whips, about 25 for £25-£50 from various places. They are easy to plant in slits cut with a spade. Willow can be bought the same way.

All need to be planted while dormant in the winter months - so plenty of time to push the issue and get agreement for a mixed hedge paid for by them.

Best of luck

Terry