Bad Neighbour Advice

[unclefudgly]

I never thought this would happen as being a happy plot holder for 10 years, it is beyond my understanding.

What happened?
Recently the plot next to mine became vacant and a new owner took over. While I was away on holiday recently, he has erected a shed with 11ft high eaves in front of my polytunnel which has been in place for last 5 years.
I explained to him that he should move it as now my polytunnel will not get any light for 6 months of the year as the suns height will be blocked by his ginormous shed.
The new owners reply was that he thought the polytunnel was just for storage ( go figure that one out) and he could not move the new shed as it might create shadows on his plot.

To say I am flabbergasted is an understatement. I just cannot fathom the thinking of someone who would think t is ok to behave like that.

I am taking this up with allotment management with little hope they will support me as they already gave him permission to build it.

Does anyone know if any other building regs would apply so I can try to get some legal backing for having the shed removed? Not sure if anything would apply, but you never know.

[Thelma Sanders]

Have a look in your contract, ours specifies you shouldn't site sheds where they cast shade over other plots. Ours also limits the height of sheds as well.

[Nicos]

They may have given him permission to build a shed, but perhaps not ok'd the size?

I've just had a quick look on line at various T&Cs of max size of structures on several sites throughout the country and they all seem to stipulate max height for a shed is somewhere between 6'6" and 7'6"
Your site of course may be different though....

Here is just one for eg ...(page 10)...
https://www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/Relate...-Hand-book.pdf

Take a look at your contract.....

[unclefudgly]

Thanks guys. Management of the site was devolved a few years ago to a property management company so probably has something to do with it.

There's a great website called suncalc.org that calculates suns position and shadows from buildings of various heights on any day of the year. Putting his shed position in and height shows my polytunnel is 40-80% in shade during period October 1st to March 1st.

Hope that will help satisfy nay concerns management company has rather than just my say so

[self-contained]

I'm sorry, no knowledge of allotment politics/rules here. I just wanted to say that this sounds like a really horrible situation to be in. Either you are stuck with the shed, or your neighbour is forced to move/remove it and you are stuck with an inconsiderate and resentful neighbour. Isn't it amazing how most people rub along together perfectly well most of the time, but one bad apple can really mess things up?

Here's hoping for the best possible outcome for you: neighbour is made to move or remove the shed. Neighbour then has tantrum and walks away from the plot. You get lovely respectful new neighbour who arrives with lots of fascinating heritage seeds they are just bursting to share

[unclefudgly]

This is what I will send property management company, traced over actual photo so quite accurate.

Arcs are sun today/December, boundaries in red. My polytunnel and shed left side, ginorma-shed, then another plots greenhouse right side

[Jungle Jane]

This really annoys me,how can anyone be so thoughtless & selfish!! A polytunnel should overrule a shed in allotment ethics. Ask the property company who runs the allotment,is the shed being used as accommodation as it’s mighty big,this might make them hurry up about it?

[lottie dolly]

This is so sellfish,i think most sites have regulations on sizes,and where you can site a shed,as has been said,no structure should overshadow another plot,as for the remark,but it cast shadows on his plot,what the ek does he imagine he done to you,sounds like he not a gardener,so so selfish and upsetting for you,there is unfortunatly at least one on most plots,some can get away with murder,and others have to tow the line

[Cadalot]

If a management Company took over from the council then the rulebook that was in place should still be applicable. Check to see if it's still available on the council web site.

Our guide says this

SHEDS, GREENHOUSES, POLYTUNNELS AND DECKING

You may build sheds, greenhouses, polytunnels or lay decking up to an area of 2.45m x 1.85m (8’ x 6’) without permission from idverde. Buildings must be within your plot boundary and not obstruct paths between plots. We recommend you position buildings on the southern edge of your plot so shade falls on your plot rather than on your neighbour’s.

If you want to build a shed, greenhouse or polytunnel larger than 2.45m x 1.85m, please contact idverde and discuss what you would like to do. We will also discuss your request with Site Representatives before making a decision. You are not permitted to erect any other type of building or structure on the allotment site.

[Greenleaves]

To the OP

Please be aware that any advice given on this forum is opinion only. As already suggested, the advice is to talk to you site reps or the site owner, council or otherwise.

[mothhawk]

What, exactly, of a horticultural nature, does he need 11 feet of clearance for? That sounds more like a barn than a shed.

[veggiechicken]

I agree with MH - why so high? Is the floor plan equally huge?

[1Bee]

Ugh, how awful. I do hope you get some resolution to this.

[Snadger]

This is our Building and structures agreement with Council.



BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES GUIDANCE

Building Guidance – encompassing sheds, greenhouses, polytunnels, temporary covers and internal fences.

The objective has been to keep guidance to a minimum consistent with maintaining and improving the standard of allotment buildings.

Approval • The erection of any building is dependent upon ‘prior’ approval by the Site Committee. Advice if necessary may be sought from the Allotments Officer and/or Allotments Working Group representatives.
• Prior approval is sought by making an application in writing, including a diagram, measurements and materials.
• Materials should not be ordered or delivered prior to approval.
• Access – a pathway should be kept around buildings for maintenance and access purposes.

Location • Due regard must be given to neighbours and proximity to site perimeters in locating buildings.
• Due regard must be given to overall Site Plan and environmental impact.
• Uniformity of location and materials should be considered. Uniformity needs to be balanced against expression of individuality. Some sites specify no sheds, or sheds/greenhouses in line, or only aluminium greenhouses only, or that polytunnels must be commercially produced standard. It is now accepted practice that new plot holders be allocated half-plots, the location of structures should be such as to facilitate this, that is buildings should not straddle the mid-line.

Dimensions • The apex of any structure shall not exceed 8ft 6in. Maximum dimensions of sheds are 10ft x 8ft.
• No more than 25% of an allotment may be taken up by structures.
• A minimum of 75% of an allotment should be under cultivation; this excludes working or sitting out areas.

Materials

Glazing • Sheds must be of sound treated timber or pre-formed commercial construction.
• Timber should be treated or painted in discreet or subdued colours specified in the approval application.
• Greenhouses may be timber or aluminium.
• UPVC is not allowed, likewise recycled windows and doors (except for cold frames) thus avoiding structures which convey a ramshackle appearance.
• Polytunnels should be regarded as a variation of greenhouses.
NB the 25:75 rule applies. There is no requirement to remove the polythene covers at season’s end, this practice shortens the life of an expensive structure.
• Chrysanthemum covers and similar – height should not exceed 7ft, timber should not exceed 2 in x 2 in, covers to be allowed 01.08 – 30.11. These covers are regarded as temporary structures and may be in addition to the 25% permanent structure rule.

• Shall be of glass (preferably toughened) horticultural Perspex or clear polythene, or clear acrylic/PVC.
• Corrugated or opaque materials are not recommended.
• Adequate glazing bars must be used.

Maintenance • All structures should be regularly maintained. No stipulation is made other than that identified during bi-annual site inspections.

Heating • Shall be by paraffin or bottled gas. Due regard will be given to safe storage and regular disposal of gas bottles.

Internal Fences • Maximum height 3 ft, construction post and wire. Post 2 in x 2 in two or three strands of wire, galvanised.

Water Collection • Plot holders are encouraged to collect water from building roofs. Water storage should be in containers which are not sunk into the ground and thereby avoid potential danger. Site inspections should monitor water features and storage in light of risk.

[unclefudgly]

I have now written to relevant company, and have gone through our licence agreement. Unfortunately there is no specific clause on height restrictions, so will have to wait and see.

I'm happy at least that you don't think I'm being unreasonable. Things like this can really spoil your enthusiasm at times.

great to read some of your agreements as well, our site is less organized than I had thought compared to others

Cheers