Neighbours have 'made' a driveway which MY parking space blocks

[SomewhatNewToThis]

Trying to keep it short. I live down a very weird road- very few houses have driveways. Some of us have allocated bays in the street. Other people- generally the owners of newer houses- must park in a car park about a minutes walk away created especially for our road. It's literally at the end.

Neighbours have a weird upside down U shaped house, facing the road. They have decided to put a very ugly, gravel driveway on the reminder of their front garden.

However, MY allocated council parking space that belongs to my house is where the exit to their 'driveway' is. Their DD just passed her driving test- hence driveway- and I've had to move my car from my space SIX times since Tuesday.

Neighbours have now sent letter asking me to park elsewhere so their DD can use 'driveway.'

AIBU to have posted a polite letter back basically saying no and that I will not be moving car multiple times a day in future?

Car park for our houses requires a permit. As I have the allocated space, I cannot apply for a permit as I already have a space. Neighbours have one space in car park provided for those without allocated spaces, however can apply for space for their DD as car park has spare permits available. I can't park anywhere else as you can only park in allocated bays.

AIBU to think my allocated space is mine, it's not my fault it's in front of their house and that I shall not be moving my car from now on?

Diagram provided.

Oh god this thread brings me back!

I had a dropped kerb about the width of a car, two car spaces one in front of the other on the drive. There was a grass verge to the side with an enormous cherry tree on it. Cars parked in front of the verge partially blocking us in. It was absolutely infuriating.

Anyway, new neighbours moved in, and one day lady of the house said she had asked the council to remove the tree as the roots were lifting up her dropped kerb.

Fine, then council came out, removed the tree, asked both of us did we want the dropped kerb extended, i.e. remove the verge. YES we said. So they did (not in UK). We ended up with a long dropped kerb each. We were then able to widen the entrance and park cars side by side.

Best of all is that NO cars park on the road out front now, as parking in front of dropped kerb (unless it is your car) is ticketable. Win win.

No - cheeky buggers!

You are not being unreasonable OP, they are!
You need to contact the Council - who will probably contact them.
x

Totally agree with whoever said upthread that if you let them get away with this you'll devalue your property op.

Absolutely do not move for them or give them an inch!

'Dear Neighbours,

Whilst I appreciate it must be terribly inconvenient to not be able to access your completely illegal 'driveway' (gravelly front garden), wild horses will not drag me to park elsewhere as I am parked legally in my council ALLOCATED parking space that was ALLOCATED with my house.

No love,
OP'

Is op coming back?

Have you heard back from them after your note?

Any update OP?

They require planning permission for that "driveway". Contact your local planning officer at the council ASAP.

Do not move your car anymore to allow them access.

Send a letter back just explaining in plain terms why you are not going to move your car: 1. it is an allocated parking space & 2. You do not want to be inconvenienced by moving your car. Say you don't want to fall out with them and you wish to continue with being neighbourly. Don't get into the issue with their driveway at the moment just keep it simple, its their problem. Any issues they give you just go to the council for clarification.

Great diagram! Can't believe I've only just discovered this thread. Just hope the OP will be back.

Don't move your car (as so many others have said).

YADNBU, the neighbours are absolutely bonkers if they think they will get a dropped kerb. Of course they won't, even they must know that. Please come back and give us an update.

@SomewhatNewToThis

How's it going? Any developments?

Allocated parking space trumps makeshift driveway.
I can't believe they thought this was ok
And council can't approve a dropped kerb because your space is there.

Don't move OP. They need to pay the council to have a dropped curb. Cheeky lot

So they made the drive knowing you had a space that was blocking the drive they were making - then went ahead and then told you you're blocking their drive! How not to go about something - their approach is to just do it and pressure you into moving, which is not on.

I wouldn't go back and forth with letters between you. I'd either go and talk to them and explain that you cannot just make driveways and that you won't be moving regularly so their DD will get blocked in. Or if you don't fancy that I would just involve the council. I don't think they can just add a driveway without permission.

It would be unusual for you to have an "allocated" parking space, unless the road is an estate road, rather than an adopted road. Do you actually have a permit which aligns with a sign posted at the parking place?
If the road is adopted/maintained by the Council and the parking place is governed by a traffic regulation order, which entitles you to park there, then the Council has decided that someone parking there cannot obstruct anyone (unless it is suspended by the Council for road works). So, in such a case then you do not have to move your car from that space, as no offence can be committed by parking there.

I work in a relevant field.

They have absolutely no right to ask you to move or to stop using your space. Tell them to get knotted!

Sarcomere daughter can't be a nanny - if she was she'd have parked halfway across OP's parking space

Yeah agree with everyone else! That is not a drive, it's a gravel garden.

How much do you want to bet her insurance has her listed as keeping the car off road on a driveway so she could get it cheaper? If she hits/causes damage to your car, her insurance may well be ruled invalid if she's fraudulently claimed where she parks it.

Exactly the same thing happened where we used to live. One house had extension and drive added but crazy as they knew neighbour had numbered space blocking exit to new drive. Neighbour who had numbered space with house got to carry on using it. Finally people with drive paid her to swap her number spot with their own and they paid for legal work as both houses privately owned. Stick to your rights.