CF county council has destroyed my wall!

[TheCouncilDestroyedMyWall]

I've name changed for this as it will probably end up quite outing...

The council are improving a 'road' next to my house, this road is not passable with a normal vehicle, only a 4wd. The posh golf course behind us wants to cut down lots of trees so need access for large vehicles, therefore the council have had workers there this week improving the lane.

I spoke to them about 4 days ago just to find out what they were doing (just being nosy!) and was told that they were improving the opposite end of the lane, but not my end due to funding.

I've come back from work today to find that they've decided to drain a large, muddy puddle (probably 40m long by 7m wide) by making a large hole in our dry stone wall and digging a trench onto our land, surely they can't just do this?????

Am planning on ringing them tomorrow and asking for the wall to be rebuilt and everything put back to how it was, anyone had a similar experience at all? I'm quite flabbergasted by the cheek to be honest

Wtaf? That's high level CFery.

Did the council workers not think you might notice?

Definitely get hold of your local councillor. They're keen to be seen to be on the side of the community right now!

OP is there any chance that wall was a protected/listed wall? It looks like a pretty old (and beautiful) wall.

How does it look on street view?
That's shocking!!

That is astonishing CFery!!!

I would have a total fit. And I'm quite placid.

Where has all the stone gone? Have they carted it off? It's ridiculous!

Get in touch with your local county councillor, your local district councillor and the county cabinet member for environment/highways. You should also be able to find the name of the Director of Environment’s/Highways (whatever they call it in your area) name/contact details. Contact him as well. Send the same email to all four of them at the same time so they know who else you’re talking to. Threaten involving the local press if you need to - particularly useful if the work is carried out by a private contractor such as Amey.

Fairly certain that’s criminal damage. They can’t just knock down your wall! I’d be tempted to ring the police to see if they could advise... you may be looking at a court case here.

You have a case for suing the council for tens of thousands pounds. Get a lawyer and file a case, don't let them fob you off with promises. This may actually be criminal damage, not just civil liability.

Wow - unbelievable!

Do you have legal advice cover within your home insurance? Ring first thing in the morning!

@ILoveMaxiBondi not sure, to be honest, that part of the wall wasn't quite as beautiful as the bit further along, was probably only 2/3 as high, and a little overgrown.

Sorry, off to sleep, will reply to the lots of people in the morning, wasn't expecting so many replies!

Bizarre.

Love your dog btw.

That's ridiculously cheeky! Could you dam it (using the pushed over stones) for now to halt the flow until it gets rectified?

I'd be tempted to Cary Grant the other stones onto the roadway placed at odd and inconvenient places, or build a little wall across the road.

"I'm sure there is some sort of law that you can technically drain on to any lower lying land."

I think you are a bit correct, @stayathomegardener, but I think you can only do so on the 'natural course', going from higher to lower land. I have a feeling that you cannot do things such as demolish structures to do so, nor divert the course of the water.

Here are some similar things v v v

www.fwi.co.uk/business/business-management/business-clinic/business-clinic-neighbours-water-and-slurry-drain-on-to-my-land

www.gardenlaw.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12656

www.npt.gov.uk/PDF/landdrainageresponsibilities.pdf

The garden law site can be useful, if you post a question, @TheCouncilDestroyedMyWall.

How is the drainage in relation to your building. I’m worried about foundation damage from that much water that quickly.

Yes legal advice cover BringOnTheScience is also on car insurance sometimes. Possibly also if you have any bank account add-ons etc.

Co-op might have fixed fee something or other I think if I remember rightly form a recent email.

So handy to have.

What @LellyMcKelly said, plus your local counsellor.

You need to be prepared to be loud/noisy and actually go to your local press/local SM etc

This is outrageous (and i used to work for a L.A)

They are not allowed to drain THEIR road onto YOUR land and they will know that! Complain LOUDLY!

That is some exceptional cfery! Please complain!

That is ridiculous! How can they do that on your private property🤬

I hope you get answers.

“Wedding venue in the woods” and destroying trees to do that? And your wall!

Bloody hell.

Now this is a thread I want to appear in the Mail.