AIBU to refuse access to neighbours builders?

[JensenAcklesUndercrackers]

we live in a row of terraces, there is no direct access to neighbours back garden so they sent their builders round to us to ask if they could use our side entrance and garden to take stuff through and pass over the fence. (We are the end house)
The last time they did this we agreed and the builders were climbing over the fence, moving the kids garden toys to boost themselves over. They took down the washing I had out leaving it on the patio ground, ripped the trampoline netting and broke part of the fence. They took hours doing this so I was unable to let my dog or toddler into the garden to play.
They've knocked to ask again but AIBU to say no? It's a weekend and my kids want to be able to use the garden not be cooped up all day. They've already trashed stuff and I just don't want them in my garden all day again. I've told them to take the stuff through the neighbours house as there is a straight passage from front to back. I don't want to fall out with the neighbours but why should I be inconvenienced every time they want to do some home improvements?

Why can't they have their builders carry the stuff directly through their own house into their own back garden?

What do they think the rest of us who live in terrace houses do?
We sort out access through the house and deal with the carnage.
We don't expect others to take the hit for us

Even nice builders tend to be bloody great gollumphers.
The ones who did my upstairs bathroom did untold damage to the paint work on my stair rail. A bloody hand rail fgs. What the hell did they do to it that 15 years of normal daily use couldn't achieve?

No you do not have to have men trampling over your garden, that is awful!

Just to let you know they can't apply to a court for access for this type of thing.

The Access to Neighbouring Land act only applies to necessary repairs which they need to be on your land to carry out. It is only for repairs, not building.

The Party Wall Act allows some limited access, but this only applies to work on or near the party wall, fence or boundary.

There is no law that would allow them to cart building materials through your garden just because they don't want them brought through their house. Unless they have an easement, which they clearly don't as they haven't mentioned it.

I would definitely take the previous damage further to. Builders have insurance.

Jensen, don't be persuaded, just say no, unfortunately it's the weekend, and a major inconvenience. If they persist, tell them calmly, that your decision is final, what part of NO, don't they understand.
They were disrespectful last time, and in my opinion, will be again.

Stand your ground do not cave in.

Now you perhaps have the opportunity to get the full details of the company if it's written on the van. I'd be pursuing them for the damage. The only "selfish cock" is the owner of the company, who hasn't replaced your property. I'd also inform the owners / letting agent if you haven't already done so.

You would have though that someone who was organizing the building work would have sorted out this access issue BEFORE starting any works?.

No wonder these neighbor wars start like they do:(

loveka is right, apologies I stand corrected - they can apply if its for essential works that they can only access via your land, not just because it suits them to damage your garden instead of their carpets! But still let the landlord know.

watching with interest as I have exactly the same problem with my neighbour, who has ASSUMED he has the right to access his property via mine. The last 2 times he didn't even bother to ask me first.
When I spoke to him about it, he quoted the Access to Neighbouring Property Act at me (so I read up on it to challenge him next time.)

Unfortunately, there appears to be little I can do to stop the twat coming into my garden. Yes its trespass, but its a civil matter, not a criminal one. So far, no amount of me telling him to sod off has had any effect.

he just likes an easy life bless him

This attitude frustrates me, it lets arseholes get away with being arseholes, and gives them licence to get worse.