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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New neighbour using my private garden...

999 replies

Wattyyyy · 27/07/2017 12:47

...

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
moggle · 27/07/2017 14:43

I think a small yet deep fish pond just outside the new door, with some kind of green weed on top that looks like grass to unsuspecting idiots.

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/07/2017 14:43

Mrblue

So who should op call them?

Assburgers · 27/07/2017 14:43

Do you know if the doors open inwards or outwards?

Scrumptiousbears · 27/07/2017 14:44

Do they own their flat?

ComradeHelveticaBlack · 27/07/2017 14:44

When I met my husband he owned a ground floor flat and the entire garden was also included (a house conversion). The guy in the flat above was single and spent most of his time abroad on business. He changed jobs and got a new girlfriend and she moved in with him. I came home from work one day and she'd dug up the back garden and planted loads of flowers etc, when confronted she said she assumed the garden was shared. I soon corrected herGrin

Mrbluethecatt · 27/07/2017 14:45

The builders are also committing a criminal offence doing works without permission. No wonder they wanted their name off the door and buggered off.

ManyManyShoes · 27/07/2017 14:45

Shamelessly placemarking!

KickAssAngel · 27/07/2017 14:45

Normally I think it's always best to try and resolve situations at a low-level. So, start with the neighbour, have a chat etc.

BUT it's a listed property!
Holy Fuck!

That is SUCH a huge no-no to start making major changes like that.

Straight to the council. email them the photos.

I don't know where you live, but this from a .gov page of Arun:
"You may also be liable to prosecution as carrying out unauthorised works to a Listed Building is a criminal offence."

No wonder the builder took his stickers down - this is a criminal offence!

MiladyThesaurus · 27/07/2017 14:45

You could frame the pond with some lovely holly bushes on the wall side.

greyfriarskitty · 27/07/2017 14:45

It's not only the planning department you need to contact, but also listed buildings. They are part of the same department but different officials, so worth contacting separately. Call them, round us they would be round within 24 hours for something like that.

Floralnomad · 27/07/2017 14:46

I'd ring the listed building people at the council now , don't bother to speak to the owners .

Fitzsimmons · 27/07/2017 14:46

Is it cheeky fucker season or something? I bet you must be horribly shook up as well OP, they have violated your space. Personally I wouldn't wait for them to get home and get straight onto the council.

Morphene · 27/07/2017 14:46

Mrblue Oh really? That's epic! I thought it would be the home owners responsibility to get that sorted and builders wouldn't have any liability.

yikes!

mikeyssister · 27/07/2017 14:47

Still hoping for a diagram OP

TimeFliesWhenYoureHavingGin · 27/07/2017 14:47

It's the conservation officer you need to contact.

LaurieFairyCake · 27/07/2017 14:47

Does the door open outwards into your air space?

MrsNuckyThompson · 27/07/2017 14:49

It sounds like a giant misunderstanding to me.

Seems likely the new owners next door stupidly assumed it was a shared garden and didn't realise it is your private property.

I'd just calmly go round when they get home and tell them straight away asking them to
Immediately tidy up. In all fairness if they thought the garden was half theirs and they had a right to knock through the mess would be just what would be involved.

Hopefully they'll be completely mortified and tidy up ASAP.

Mrbluethecatt · 27/07/2017 14:50

Call council planning enforcement now! They can come down asap and put in a stop notice.

Take as many photos as possible in as much detail as possible. Ideally have some before pictures too.

What category of listing is the building? Grade I and II* are rare and very important. Grade II are more common.

Contact history England to report the works if they are unauthorized.

MrsNuckyThompson · 27/07/2017 14:50

Incidentally I'm not suggesting they had a right to knock through merely that they clearly believe themselves to have!!

Finola1step · 27/07/2017 14:50

So 6 builders for a window to door conversion. Sounds well dodgy to me. As if they knew they had to get in and out quick. Maybe while you were at work.

Definitely contact the company and follow up with emails. Same with the local planning office - contact now as they might be able to get out and visit tomorrow (before he weekend kicks in).

ExConstance · 27/07/2017 14:50

You do not get a fine for breaching planning regulations, if planning permission is required then the next step would be an enforcement notice. It would be very odd to need planning permission to put in new doors unless there are special provisions and it is in a conservation area? They may have breached building regs, but I'm not sure Building Regs permissions are on the council web site. Anyway they certainly shouldn't be in your garden regardless, a solicitors letter should sort this out.

PyongyangKipperbang · 27/07/2017 14:51

they wanted to get it all done before you had a chance to stop it and then just say tough it's done now!

I suspect you are right, but that proves they know nothing about planning departments. An entire bungalow had to be demolished because planning had not been applied for and wouldnt have been granted if it had so wasnt granted retrospectively.

Minniemagoo · 27/07/2017 14:51

The builders hasty retreat shows they knew something wasn't right. Being a listed building, private garden it sounds like they were hoping it would be done before you saw it. Good luck with your neighbours, fuming for you at their neck.

alltouchedout · 27/07/2017 14:52

Well, that is odd.