Im hoping some of you clever planning/legal types will be able to help me. We have a right of way that goes down our driveway and out into the fields behind us. Its an ancient right of way, and used by a handful of dog walkers and ramblers in the summer. The driveway goes right next to our windows, and there is no possibility of sectioning off the right of way as both neighbour and I have equally ancient stone walls either side.
We have received notification from a building company that they hope to build an estate of some 70/80 houses on the field.
This will mean a huge invasion of both privacy and security for us if our driveway becomes a thoroughfare from the new estate to the main road.
Do you know if we can request a move of the footpath when they build? What grounds could I use?
We have a highly popular brewery close by and I just envision hoards of people cutting down our drive in a noisy state in years to come.
We also have, at the end of the drive (towards the field) an ancient barn that is locally listed. Even with small numbers of people using the footpath, we have had cars damaged and a break in, a window smashed and the fabric of the barn (chunk - hardened chalk) broken off by kids, so I really dont want more foot traffic. We also have found people snooping in the barn which is unsecured.
Id like, ideally, the council to move the right of way 50m to the left, where it will go over council land.
Any advice you can give would be appreciated.