neighbour's building works - what can i do?

[eddielizzard]

well, not actually me, a friend.

her next-door neighbours have removed all floors and roof from their house and are digging a basement. i've just been round and the noise and vibration is incredible. you feel the vibration in your sternum. i was only there for a short while but i felt sick. she's been living with it for a YEAR and it looks like it'll take ANOTHER YEAR. she can't deal with it.

what can she do? should the neighbours pay for her to rent somewhere, at least while they're drilling? offer her compensation? she was in tears. there must be something that she can do.

any ideas?

God, that sounds like a total nightmare . If the neighbour has planning permission, though, and is adhering to the agreed building hours regulations (no starting before 8am, for example); I don't imagine the Council will have grounds to step in.
Why is it taking two years, though?

Oh god that's terrible!
That would be my absolute worst nightmare!
I've had problems with neighbours for years and the most recent thing being buildings work has been ongoing for over a year... we are moving to a detached house soon and I absolutely can't wait!
Anyway.. there must be something she can do?
Has she spoken to the neighbours? Or builders?
They need to go into her house whilst it's happening so they can fully understand the impact!
I'm guessing they aren't living in the house... so why should she?
Oh your poor friend!
Sending hugs to her x

it's taking so long because there are all sorts of problems - like drilling holes accidentally through her party wall etc. etc. and because there's no roof they have to drain the basement each day with a mahoosive pump (more noise). all legit planning wise, builders are considerate and tell her when they're going to be making noise, but in reality it's pretty constant.

the neighbour is v unreasonable though, has been pretty awful throughout and won't go and visit to hear how bad it is. presumably because she knows and doesn't want to feel responsible.

through no fault of her own my friend's life has been made an absolute misery and she has no control over it. i think it's a disgrace, i really do.

Loads of TV documentaries about this happening in London. People digging "super basements". Whole streets falling out with each other. Modern life eh?

Before they started the work the neignbour doing the work should have approached adjoining property on eachside to discuss and agree a 'party wall agreement' which would have covered compensation for disturbance etc. RICS has a public helpline on their main web page. Resources: www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works/overview or look at www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200187/your_responsibilities/40/other_permissions_you_may_require/16 or look at this www.rics.org/uk/knowledge/professional-guidance/guidance-notes/party-wall-legislation-and-procedure-6th-edition/