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Original poster

f*&%$ing neighbours ,won't let us put scaffolding up

41 replies

polly28 · 01/09/2004 22:38

We are wanting to put an extension up and have had all the relevant permissions granted but now our neighbours (thought they were quite reasonable before) are refusing us access to put up scaffolding.Does anyone have any exp of this or know what rights we have to put scaffolding up .

OP posts:
hercules · 01/09/2004 22:45

Did they give you any reasons?

Original poster
polly28 · 01/09/2004 22:51

Not any reasonble ones in my opinion.Mainly they didn't want us to dig the foundations which cross the boundary by 150mm but are a continuation of existing ones anyway.They are paranoid their house will fall down or something eventhough building regs are approved etc.

We are now stepping the extension in so as not to dig on their land but wouldstill need to put up extension.

They didn't object until two days before bulders were due to start so am a bit pissed off at them to say the least!

OP posts:
Avalon · 01/09/2004 23:02

Maybe they hadn't realised you were going to dig on their land? Did they give you permission for it originally?

pixiefish · 01/09/2004 23:08

We've had this. Unfortunately there's not a lot you can do. Our old neighbours complained cos our scaffolding crossed over the boundary at roof level (of house not i might add a bungalow so was I don't know how many feet up in the air) The only way round is perhaps to ask whoever drew up your plans or a building surveyor to talk to them (if they're amenable to that)
From what I remember you've got the right to go onto their land to carry out necessary repairs and maintenance but I don't know where you stand with an extension. You'll have to ask your architect/surveyor for advice on this

Original poster
polly28 · 01/09/2004 23:11

they gave permission for scaffolding initially but the shit hit the fan when they realised the fence panels would have to come up for the digger.The foundations for the wall of our house are on their property now so it is just an extension of that.They then wanted a surveyor to come and for us to pay the fees and all solicitor fees aswell.we initially said ok to that if they could give us an idea of the costs involved.He then brought round a letter for us to sign stating that we would pay all costs but no figure was mentioned.we wouldn't sign as it was basically a blank cheque.He was pissed off that we wouldn't sign the "blank cheque" so has now refused to let us put scaffolding up eventhough we no longer need the surveyor as we are amending the plans so foundations are stepped in.

sorry it's a bit confusing!!

OP posts:
Original poster
polly28 · 01/09/2004 23:15

pixiefish-our builders have already spoken to them to try to allay their worries and got a lot of verbal abuse.I will get the architect's opinion tomorrow.

I can't believe I had her round for coffee loads of times and babysat for her and they turn on us like this!!

OP posts:
Twiglett · 02/09/2004 09:14

message withdrawn

pixiefish · 03/09/2004 07:48

our old neighbours were totally barmy. We had the police round god knows how many times for various things, one of them being 'suspicious' digging in the garden. I'm really sorry that this has happened to you as it's a complete nuisance but I really don't think there's anything you can do short of arbitration and they've got to be willing to do that. Try to talk to them now though before things get too out of hand and you end up with all sorts of bother

daisy1999 · 03/09/2004 09:29

To be fair to the neighbours you are asking for them to be disrupted, have the fence panels removed, and suffer the noise and general dirt of builders. You gain an extension they get hassle. Could you not give them something in return for the disruption, eg is the fence old, could you offer to replace the whole fence with a new one? In this way they may be more likely to agree.

tallulah · 03/09/2004 17:52

Is the digger going to ruin their garden? Or will they have builders going back & forth across it? We had neighbours who decided to replace the fence panels without telling us & ripped them all out, taking half our plants with it (esp a couple of really nice clematis that had been growing up the fence). They then dug great big holes all up our lawn that we'd struggled to get looking nice for years. I was furious & there was nothing we could do. Maybe your neighbours are worried about this sort of damage? (Tho if they won't discuss it with you, you're a bit stuck).

Original poster
polly28 · 03/09/2004 21:10

There would be minimal disruption to them,the area that would have been dug was 150mm from the fence which is gravel at the moment.We would obviously replace said gravel and fence panel would be replaced with a nice new brick wall extending on from brick wall already there.There are absolutely no plants near the area ,all it is is a path down the side of our houses.They will have full access to their garden etc.

We have said we will change the plans now so the extension will come in and we will not need to touch there property..but scaffolding will need to be erected to make the building of extension safe.

I would not expect to be paid off for a bit of disrution if my neighbours were getting work done.We were planning on sending flowers regulary,did send her some which I think she threw out.We have asked them around for a bbq in the summer but they never turned up,no excuse given.

The fence is ours,is new and in good nick.We're still waiting for reply for there permission to put scaffolding up.The architect is now amending the plans and resubmitting them for approval.

OP posts:
lou33 · 03/09/2004 22:41

From a neighbour pov, ours decided to spruce up their garden after adding the taj mahal to their house ( a whole other story). They wanted to put a 6ft fence up along the boundary between us, which would have meant blocking out the light from ds's bedorrm , as the window is only about 3 feet from where the fence would be. However they didn't do this, what they did in the end was initially put up a chicken wire fence and then plant conifers behind it. But they dug into our side of the boundary, chucked the discarded rubble onto our side , damaged the fencing and trellis we had up, pulled up some electrical cables , and were generally sullen about it when we complained. Maybe they are worried about similar things happening? I'm sure you would be more considerate, but it may be going through their heads?

Original poster
polly28 · 03/09/2004 23:59

we definately have reassured them trillions of times that their garden will not be affected at all.We have been quite friendly with them up until now and I feel quite hurt and annoyed that they have waited until the day before building was meant to start to raise these objections.Surely that is what the planning process is for!

these plans were approved (with no objections from any neighbours) last march ffs!!

OP posts:
pixiefish · 27/09/2004 18:13

hi Polly28, hope this is sorted by now- if not-was on the phone with a friend tonight who is a surveyor and asked him about your problem. Apparently you do have the right to put scaffolding up on your neighbours land. There is a procedure to do it and you have to give them 28 days notice and a schedule of the work. You need to speak to your solicitor/building surveyor. If you get no joy with them then I can give you my friends telephone number.

Original poster
polly28 · 27/09/2004 22:37

thanks so much pixiefish,

no the problem is geting even messier.
They clearly do not want us to build the extension and are doing everything possible to stop it.

the latest is our surveyor has issued party wall notices three times ,last ones were invalid because they did not include drawings that incorporated the neighbours drains and foundations..

Both surveyors are meeting here wednesday am to look at the big hole dug by dh to expose said foundations on our house.We have also been told that they can refuse to give us permission to allow the eaves to overhang their property in the extended new build ,eventhough they already overhang.

It looks to me like we have no rights to do anything.If your friend is right then that's great because we could step the extension in so there's no overhang,but we still need to put up scaffolding.

God I hope we can ,this is so stressfull.We have been told by their surveyor not to communicate with them re. the extension.

These are not reasonable people.I have heard from other sources that the husband is an evil awkward person,and his reputation at a certain highstreet bank,where he worked, was not good.

I wish they had opposed at the planning stage and we would not have bothered going this far ,and just moved.We have taken down our conservatory in preparation !

It makes me so mad.

OP posts:
pixiefish · 27/09/2004 22:44

I feel for you Polly. My friend has said that you can put the scaffolding up though. There's a paper trail with it though... as there is with everything...keep in touch and if you want my friends telephone number than CAT me. Hope you get it sorted

bobs · 27/09/2004 23:06

This reply has been deleted

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polly28 · 27/09/2004 23:09

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
polly28 · 27/09/2004 23:11

bobs -that has already been done.
party wall act in the motions now which addresses all these matters.

Why are you opposing?

OP posts:
bobs · 27/09/2004 23:28

Because our house faces on to our neighbours (used to be part of our garden years ago) and they want to take down a single storey garage and put up a double storey monstrocity 21/2 times as long, viewable from all our main rooms

Original poster
polly28 · 27/09/2004 23:38

fair enough bobs -sounds intrusive.

Ours will bring the back of our house out to the same level as theirs.It will hadrly be noticeable.

OP posts:
bobs · 27/09/2004 23:52

sounds okay to me - we received the first letter from the planning office before our neighbours even moved in - they didn't even come and tell us about it which wasn't a good start - we still haven't spoken to them except when we had to accompany the appeals officer round both properties.
It was rather bad of your neighbour to start complaining only now - leaves a horiible feeling - hope you get it sorted!

Original poster
polly28 · 28/09/2004 00:01

They never raised any concerns re. scaffolding etc. at all,even offered to store stuff for us in their garage.
the mind boggles!

OP posts:
bobs · 28/09/2004 00:06

They obviously didn't think it through - perhaps they just thought your extension would appear overnight
A neighbour down the road didn't complain about a neighbour's extension until it was done - now she spouts off to anyone who will listen about how aweful it is/close to her drive etc.
the funny thing is, the extension was done partly to house a caravan - and the caravan doesn't fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bobs · 28/09/2004 00:07

Anyway - bedtime - keep us posted!