Neighbours have raised their garden and now overlooks ours!

[Higgs789]

Our row of new build houses have gardens that slope away from the house. Our neighbours have recently just levelled their garden by building decking that is level with the house, which means by the end of the garden they’re torso height above the fence. Not only that but they’ve built a pergola at the end of the garden and put a hot tub. This pretty much touches our boundary fence and means they can easily see into our garden when they use it. They said they would put trellis to screen but instead they’ve put fairy lights all over it! I think they need planning permission to raise the level that much but we’re going insane from the lights and the noise of the hot tub. I’m tempted to call the planning office but I don’t know if I’m being unreasonable? HELP

@Shirleyphallus

I honestly find these replies so weird. So many mumsnet posters are so vindictive, it’s so weird.

Just imagine you use your garden perfectly legally and your neighbours went out their way to encourage pests in to your garden and planting trees to make your life a misery.

Like it or not, your neighbours don’t seem to have actually done anything wrong. Irritating and you may find their placement of the hot tub a nuisance but they’re allowed to do what they’re want on their property.

This.

You could try asking about planning. Or you could talk to your neighbour and ask what their plan is to give them a bit of privacy in the tub. Or you could put some trellis up on your side with some climbers.

All of the stuff about bad smells/encouraging rats/reading the bible etc is just ridiculous, and I assume is largely intended as such.

Well they sound like weirdos. We had new neighbours build some decking at the end of the garden so I have to suffer young topless men walking around towering over my fence and working out! I think they may have now purchased chairs as I see them less now. I’ve bought some slow growing plants to hide them from view.

@Shirleyphallus

I honestly find these replies so weird. So many mumsnet posters are so vindictive, it’s so weird.

Just imagine you use your garden perfectly legally and your neighbours went out their way to encourage pests in to your garden and planting trees to make your life a misery.

Like it or not, your neighbours don’t seem to have actually done anything wrong. Irritating and you may find their placement of the hot tub a nuisance but they’re allowed to do what they’re want on their property.

For a start the neighbour's use is not perfectly legal since it is in breach of planning (unless the OP has spectacularly failed to notice planning permission being granted.

But regardless of that aspect, all these things people are proposing are (with the odd exception) also perfectly legal ways to use a garden. The point is less to be vindictive and rather to make it clear that even perfectly legal use of your garden without consideration for your neighbour is not a one way street.

@NumberTheory several people have pointed out that the decking doesn’t breach planning as it’s legal at “ground level” which is the level of the house, so because the ground slopes away the decking will naturally look higher

This is such an easy one to solve... You need to seriously think about plants heavy shedding plants right on the border. Rose petals are a right pain to sweep off decking... Get trees with tiny leaves... Etc you get my drift! 😁 😂

YANBU - report them to the planning department

@MrsBaboo

Well they sound like weirdos. We had new neighbours build some decking at the end of the garden so I have to suffer young topless men walking around towering over my fence and working out! I think they may have now purchased chairs as I see them less now. I’ve bought some slow growing plants to hide them from view.

Oops, after the bit about topless young men working out, I thought you were going to say something along the lines of you’ve bought something to help you see them better 😂

[quote Shirleyphallus]@NumberTheory several people have pointed out that the decking doesn’t breach planning as it’s legal at “ground level” which is the level of the house, so because the ground slopes away the decking will naturally look higher[/quote]
There are other ways it may be illegal, depending on the area of the garden covered (over half needs planning permission) and covenants or restrictions on the deeds of the new builds.

I have bamboo in large tubs, it grows very quickly if you feed it. It also sheds lots of leathery bits of leaf or bark everywhere. A busy road runs close to my boundary wall, this helps to screen it. Don't plant bamboo in the ground, it could spread under the fence and their decking... oops!

[quote Shirleyphallus]@NumberTheory several people have pointed out that the decking doesn’t breach planning as it’s legal at “ground level” which is the level of the house, so because the ground slopes away the decking will naturally look higher[/quote]
Unless I've misunderstood OP, the decking goes from the house all the way to the end of the garden but you can only deck (or cover with outbuildings) up to 50% of your garden without requiring planning permission.

Regardless, the point was that even if it's perfectly legal, totally ignoring the comfort of your neighbours means they are under no moral obligation to keep their own legal activities from being comfortable for you. If there is no consideration on your side and the best way for them to enjoy their garden is to legally ensure you don't enjoy yours, why wouldn't they, and why shouldn't they?

Selfish neighbours. Hang some kippers near the hot tub...that'll do the trick

I did too @TeaAndBiscuitsAndWine 😂😂

Would a nice garden pond look good in your garden, complete with bugs!
😱

@Lou197

This absolutely needs planning permission. As below.... Raised patios and areas of decking require planning permission if they stand more than 30cm above ground level or if they cover more than 50 per cent of the area of the garden. If you feel the project contravenes either of these parameters it is worth contacting your local authority to complain... You have every right to enjoy your garden and if you do raise a complaint to be investigated by planning then they will keep the source confidential - sounds like it could be a number of people! Why are people so selfish, sorry it is ruining the enjoyment of your new home.

The 30 cm rule is satisfied by one part of the decking being under 30cm. If the ground then slopes away the rest of the decking can be as bight as you like. It’s one of the loopholes in the system.

The stinky fly traps are EVIL. It takes a week or two for them to ferment, then they smell like decomposition-and very very strongly. They're unbearable to be near 🙂

@Peacocking

The stinky fly traps are EVIL. It takes a week or two for them to ferment, then they smell like decomposition-and very very strongly. They're unbearable to be near 🙂

Great idea!

When we bought our house the previous owners had done exactly the same to our garden - levelled a downwards slope by building a level deck covering the entire garden. Same as you, the boundary fences were waist height when standing on the deck - we felt on display, let alone the nieghbours! Literally the first thing we did when we moved in was knock the whole thing down. Now we have a lovely garden, albeit on a slope.

One of the neighbours at the time must have reported it to the council who came out to inspect it and let them keep it BUT they had to raise the height of the fence with trellis to protect the neighbours' privacy. There was also a clause that when the decking reached the end of it's life (i.e. went rotten) they were to remove it & not replace it.
It's clear the council weren't happy about it, so if you add in nuisance noise and lights you may get a resolution, OP.

If you get no joy from the council you could always raise the height of the fence yourself & plant screening plants. One of those large sail sunshade things is also a good idea.

Try getting the children or your husband to learn the trumpet or better still the bagpipes. All your family could learn the bagpipes and the garden could be the best place to practice. There will be examples on YouTube.
Good luck.

Do some nude sunbathing at the end of the garden!

@Alwayscheerful

I have just spent 30 mins researching pleached trees . Wow, lovely but VERY expensive.

Op you have lots of acceptable options. Screening , planning dept, trellis.
Please don't do anything to attract rats or vermin.

I love pleached trees. At Batemans (National Trust) there's a formal lily pond with a row of pleached limes along both sides. It's just beautiful, and ever so slightly surreal, like a hedge with long legs.

I'd go for pleached Hornbeams. Hornbeam is a lovely tree and keeps its Autumn leaves until spring, so you have winter colour. And the leaves provide cover for wildlife, so good for the environment, too.

I also second keeping bees if you don't mind looking after them. DSS's NDNs have bees, they swarm every time he has a party or barbecue (especially barbecues) and you can't stay outside while they're doing it.

I'd put a nice big compost heap at the end of my garden, which would probably happen to be just next to their hot tub. Do your bit for the planet!

Hello Higgs789
Do you live in Streatham by any chance?

I like the ideas for nude sunbathing and keeping something smelly like manure at that end of the garden. A bonfire is a good idea too on days when they are likely to want to use their hot tub, especially if the wind tends to blow in their direction.

Also how about putting some trees down there, ones that will grow quickly and drop leaves? Might not help at this time of year but will be invaluable if there is a warm autumn.

This is the most passive aggressive thread ever. If the neighbours have done something wrong then speak to them or contact the council. If they haven't then just speak to them. Foul-smelling plants, compost attracting rats and bugs is just plain nasty and really says more about you than the neighbours. Surely you're better than that.

Old thread?